Knife-sheath tip (sika boha)

1800s

Africa, West Africa, Ghana, Asante Empire/Kingdom, Kumasi or probably Kumasi, member of the goldsmiths' guild

Medium

Gold

Measurements

Overall: 8.7 cm (3 7/16 in.)

Credit Line

Dudley P. Allen Fund 1935.312

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Location

108C African Jewelry and Metalwork

Did You Know?

Gold objects like this were frequently melted down to make new objects in new fashions.

Description

Gold sheaths covered the cast iron blade of a king’s ceremonial knife (sikay), wrapping them with symbolism. In Akan states like the Asante Kingdom, gold embodies life force (kra) and is the sun’s earthly counterpart. Only goldsmiths’ guild members could make gold ornaments for the royals and their entourage, or for the royal treasury. Here, the goldsmith used a tool to push the raised floral, leaf, and geometric designs from the back of a soft sheet of gold (repoussé technique). Small dots outlining some motifs were punched into the metal. Similarly decorated gold sheets and solid ornaments capped a knife’s handle.