Asante Oil Lamps
An Akan Ceramic Lamp , 19th century. Raised on a circular base. Human face features of the top “finial”. Called 'Abusua Kuruwa' for shrine/ancestors. Height 9 1/2 inches. Provenance: The Property of the Detroit Institute of Arts, Gift of Governor and Mrs. G. Mennen Williams. Gerhard Mennen "Soapy" Williams (February 23, 1911 – February 2, 1988) was the 41st Governor of Michigan, elected in 1948 and serving six two-year terms in office. He later served as Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs under President John F. Kennedy and Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court. Exhibited: Meadow Brook Art Gallery, Rochester, Michigan, February 1-March 3, 1968 Detroit Historical Museum, January 16-June 16, 1978 Wayne State University, July 1980-January 1981
Asante oil lamp. Cast bronze. The animals depicted on the edge of the shell (among other things 6 birds) refer to proverbs such as "Birds of the same species drink from the same pond". The stem takes the form of the segmented cane babadua also seen in many forms of Asante art (umbrella finials, bracelets) and carries the same attributes of strength and resilience. Ex Carlo Monzino (1931-1996), Castagnola
