Pendant (Spiral)

This gold ornament would most likely have been threaded together with other similar objects into a necklace. For the past several centuries in southern Côte d’Ivoire, gold ornaments and jewelry have been worn by the Akan and Akan-related peoples of the coastal region and the Baule, who live further inland. The technique for making gold beads and ornaments was introduced centuries ago by Akan goldsmiths from Ghana. Each design was made by modeling fine wax threads over a solid core, which was then invested in a clay mold and cast using the lost-wax method. This technique allowed for the delicate detailing that can be seen along the edges and center sections of the object.