Its rare to find gold weights of porcupines. This example, from a private German collection, shows a porcupine holding what appears to be a cob of corn in its mouth. The casting is very fine and shows with detail the quills running back its back. The weight comes on its original collection wooden mount.
The porcupine is often celebrated as an emblem of the Akan and the subject of many proverbs, mostly concerned with the readiness in battle: 'Ashante are like the spikes of a porcupine, if thousands are killed, thousands will come in their place'.
Ex Private Collection, Germany
Estimated Period:18th/19th Century or Before
Length: 4.5 cm
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