Rare Gilded Silver ‘Bur’ Ring, Akan People, Ghana, early-mid 20th century

Rare Gilded Silver ‘Bur’ Ring

This dramatic and wearable ring is of gilded (or gold-plated) silver. The bezel is in the shape of a star burst or perhaps a bur seed.

The hoop is decorated with two bands of incised cross-hatching.

Such rings were worn by local Akan or Ashanti (Asante) chiefs and were intended to both dazzle and convey a message to the beholder.

It is a fine piece of small sculpture. There is wear to the gold plating on the extremities as might be expected but otherwise is in fine, stable and wearable condition. If worn, it certainly will prove a memorable conversation piece!