Ashanti Bronze Gold Powder Box, Decorated With Two Crocodiles – Ghana, Late 19th Century

Beautiful Ashanti (Asante) gold dust box (forowa or abamoo), cast in solid bronze using the lost-wax technique, typical of Akan metalwork from Ghana.
Dimensions: approx. 15 × 8 cm — Weight: 1,240 g.

The lid features two crocodiles joined at the tail, representing the Ashanti proverb Funtumfunafu Denkyemfunafu – “two heads sharing one stomach.”
This symbolizes unity, cooperation, and interdependence within the Ashanti kingdom.

The sides are decorated with stylized geometric Akan motifs, reminiscent of kente textile patterns and adinkra symbols. The piece shows a rich, dark patina with traces of green oxidation, testifying to its age and authenticity.

Such boxes were used to store gold dust, which served as currency and measure of wealth in precolonial Ashanti society.
Large, heavy examples like this are rare, with most comparable pieces now held in major museum collections (British Museum, Musée du Quai Branly, Smithsonian Institution).

Provenance: former collection of Rob Vervoort (Belgium).
Period: circa 1880–1920.
Material: solid bronze or brass, cast by lost-wax method.
Condition: very good, authentic patina, no visible restoration.