Vintage Akan Bronze Plaques Set of 3 Dog Lion Leopard Clan Symbols Ghana

Overview: West African Lost-Wax Castings with Proverbial Symbolism

This is a museum-quality set of three antique brass/bronze figurative plaques from the Akan people of Ghana, West Africa, specifically associated with the Asante/Ashanti culture. Each piece was meticulously created using the lost-wax casting technique (cire perdue).

Unlike typical gold weights, these rectangular plaques were likely decorative adornments for a shrine, belt, or ceremonial textile due to the distinctive attachment pins on their sides. They depict three powerful animals—a dog, a lion, and a leopard—each representing a fundamental proverb or clan totem (Abusua).

Detailed Art Analysis and Cultural Context

These castings are miniature masterpieces that serve as visual mnemonics for Akan history and social structure:

Medium and Provenance: Cast in a heavy copper alloy (brass/bronze), these plaques bear a deep, naturally oxidized patina consistent with genuine antiquity. The quality of the relief carving points to the skills of the master casters of the Late Period (c. 18th–19th Century).

The Dog Plaque (Aduana Clan): The dog is the sacred totem of the major Aduana clan. The image references the founding myth where a dog brought fire to the ancestors, symbolizing bravery, honesty, and leadership (Ogyaasefuo—"people of the fire-place").

The Leopard Plaque (Bretuo Clan): The leopard is the totem of the powerful Bretuo clan and is widely recognized as the preeminent symbol of martial power, courage, and ferocity in the forested Ashanti region.

The Lion Plaque (Symbol of Authority): The lion represents kingship, strength, and supreme authority, reinforcing the hierarchy and power of the Akan political structure.

Construction: The rectangular form and the presence of small loops/pins on the edges suggest the plaques were designed to be linked together or sewn onto cloth or leather as a badge of office or a sacred textile border, similar to miniature decorative shields.

This set of three plaques is a rare grouping that directly illustrates the rich symbolic language and matrilineal clan structure of the Asante people.

Item Details

Culture: Akan People (Asante/Ashanti)

Origin: Ghana, West Africa

Type: Set of 3 Figurative Brass/Bronze Plaques (Likely Ceremonial Adornment)

Medium: Lost-Wax Cast Copper Alloy (Brass/Bronze)

Approximate Dimensions (Each):

Length: 3.8 Inches (Approx. 9.7 cm)

Height: 2.2 Inches (Approx. 5.6 cm)

Condition: Excellent antique condition. Exhibits a stable, dark, rich patina. The relief details are sharp, and the original attachment loops are intact.