Necklace (Primary Title)
Unknown (Artist)
The Akan people, who comprise the largest segment of the population of Ghana, create elegant sculptures, brilliantly colored textiles, and stunning gold regalia worn by royals in their various kingdoms. Gold jewelry signifies rank and often refers to a proverb or saying related to the wearer’s status. For example, this necklace includes a pendant at the center cast from a freshwater crab—a reference to the queen mother, the “well of fresh water,” or source of kings.
Adolph D. and Wilkins C. Williams Fund
2018: "The Power of Gold: Asante Royal Regalia from Ghana", Dallas Museum of Art, April 15 - August 12, 2018
2015-2016: Fortune, Courage, Love: Arts of Africa’s Akan and Kuba Kingdoms from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, William King Museum, Abingdon, Virginia, March 28 - July 12, 2015; Taubman Museum of Art, Roanoke, Virginia, September 26, 2015 - January 3, 2016; Piedmont Arts, Martinsville, Virginia, January 16 - March 6, 2016
2006-2007: "Look Here: Dazzle" VMFA Statewide exhibition, Piedmont Arts Association, Martinsville, VA March 3 - April 23, 2006, Meyer Ridderhoff Gallery, Mary Washington University, Fredericksburg, VA, September 14 - December 8, 2006, Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, Winchester, VA February 9 - May 6, 2007.
2005-2006: "Look Here: Dazzle" VMFA exhibition, November 2, 2005 - January 29, 2006.
1987-1988: "African Art in the Cycle of Life" National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Wshington, DC, September 15, 1987 - March 20, 1988.
1985: Statewide Spotlight Loan, Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History, Danville, VA, February 27 - June 5, 1985
1983-1984: Statewide Spotlight Loan, Piedmont Arts Association, Martinsville, VA, September 15, 1983 - February 1, 1984.
2015-2016: Fortune, Courage, Love: Arts of Africa’s Akan and Kuba Kingdoms from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, William King Museum, Abingdon, Virginia, March 28 - July 12, 2015; Taubman Museum of Art, Roanoke, Virginia, September 26, 2015 - January 3, 2016; Piedmont Arts, Martinsville, Virginia, January 16 - March 6, 2016
2006-2007: "Look Here: Dazzle" VMFA Statewide exhibition, Piedmont Arts Association, Martinsville, VA March 3 - April 23, 2006, Meyer Ridderhoff Gallery, Mary Washington University, Fredericksburg, VA, September 14 - December 8, 2006, Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, Winchester, VA February 9 - May 6, 2007.
2005-2006: "Look Here: Dazzle" VMFA exhibition, November 2, 2005 - January 29, 2006.
1987-1988: "African Art in the Cycle of Life" National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Wshington, DC, September 15, 1987 - March 20, 1988.
1985: Statewide Spotlight Loan, Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History, Danville, VA, February 27 - June 5, 1985
1983-1984: Statewide Spotlight Loan, Piedmont Arts Association, Martinsville, VA, September 15, 1983 - February 1, 1984.
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC
Some object records are not complete and do not reflect VMFA's full and current knowledge. VMFA makes routine updates as records are reviewed and enhanced.