Anonymous Akan artist
Bird Figure
Ghana
Late 19th century or earlier
Copper alloy
Late 19th century or earlier
Copper alloy
height 6 cm
height 2 3/8 in
height 2 3/8 in
Photo: Flori Esser
Further images
The iconography of a mighty bird with cannons on its wings and multiple kegs of gunpowder relates to the classic Akan proverb 'the bird who always travels with cannons and...
The iconography of a mighty bird with cannons on its wings and multiple kegs of gunpowder relates to the classic Akan proverb "the bird who always travels with cannons and gunpowder", meaning the ideal chief is always prepared for war. See Doran Ross (1982: 56-58 and 64) for further discussion.
Provenance
Private collection, Brussels, Belgium