Ashanti kuduo (queen with crown)

The Ashanti are a major ethnic group of the Akans in Ghana, best known for their royal arts. They were the creators of ornate, cast brass vessels known as kuduo, that belonged to the kings and courtiers in the Akan kingdoms. Gold dust and other jewels were kept in kuduo, as were other items of personal value and significance. At the time of his/her death, a person’s kuduo was filled with gold and other offerings and included in an assembly of items left at the burial site.