This golden trophy head, once attached to a state sword, is thought to depict the decapitated head of the ruler of Banda, the Bandahene Worosa, a slain enemy of the Ashanti who was accused of killing Ashanti traders and mutilating Ashanti emissaries. As such, these trophy heads are referred to as “Worosa heads”, though they could also depict other slain enemies, such as the Gyaamanhene Kwadwo Adinkra Kadyo, who was killed for creating a golden state stool, considered a provocation and insult to the original Ashanti Golden Stool in Kumasi. The earliest Worosa heads were probably cast by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Nana Osei Kwadwo Okoawia, shortly after killing Worosa around 1765. Considering the wear and damage on the Worosa head featured in this post, it may be one of the earlier casts.
The prongs at the corners of the mouth symbolize the departure of the soul from the body.
At a height of 20 cm and a weight of 1.36 kg, this trophy head is one of the largest solid gold cast figures from Africa outside of Egypt.
Worosa heads were made using the lost-wax technique. The object was first sculpted in wax, then encased in clay and left to dry. The clay mold would then be heated, causing the wax to run off through a hole at the base. The resulting cavity was then filled with molten gold. Once cooled down, the clay mold was broken off, revealing a finely cast object.
The trophy heads were looted by British troops under command of Sir Garnet Wolseley, from the Ashanti royal palace in Kumasi in 1874. The featured piece is currently located in the Wallace Collection in London.
“The head was taken from Kumasi by British forces during the Anglo-Asante war of 1873–4. It was sold to Garrard & Co. Ltd, the Crown Jeweller in London, from whom Sir Richard Wallace bought it together with a few more Asante objects, including swords, knives and gold rings.” -The Wallace Collection
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