The Asante Spider: A Symbol of Wisdom and Royal Power
A unique gold ornament in the shape of a spider, originating from the Asante Empire (too known as the Ashanti Empire) in Ghana, offers a glimpse into the rich cultural and political history of West Africa. This artifact, once belonging to one of the last Asante kings, Kwaku Dua II, embodies the power, wisdom, and complex history of a kingdom that thrived for two centuries.
Origins and Significance
The Asante Empire ruled the Gold Coast of West Africa from 1701 to 1901.1 Ceremonial swords were potent symbols of Asante rulers, often adorned with cast gold ornaments depicting animals. The spider ornament, crafted from a gold-copper-silver alloy, measures 4 by 2.9 inches (10.2 by 7.3 centimeters).2 It is believed to have been originally affixed to such a sword.
According to Asante tradition, the spider symbolized wisdom, and only the king was permitted to wear the emblem on his sword.3 This restriction underscores the spider’s association with royal authority and intellectual prowess.
A Gift and a Journey
In 1884, Sir Samuel Rowe, the British governor of the Gold Coast, received the gold spider as a gift from Bosommuru, the chief spokesman of the Asante royal court in Kumasi.3 However, British regulations prohibited officials from accepting gifts, so Rowe returned the spider to the king with a British envoy, Robert Low Brandon-Kirby.
The circumstances of how Brandon-Kirby came to possess the spider are unclear. He eventually brought it to the United States, where he partnered with James Cree to acquire land in the Southwest. Brandon-Kirby’s behavior reportedly alienated the local population, leading to threats and a hasty sale of the spider to Cree to facilitate a discreet departure from the region – allegedly smuggled out in a pickle barrel.3
Rediscovery and Preservation
The gold spider remained within the Cree family for generations before being purchased by the Dallas Museum of Art in 2014.3 Curators at the museum note that this spider ornament is unique; no other comparable cast gold spiders have been found in Asante collections to date.3
The Legacy of the Asante Empire
The Asante Empire was a powerful and organized state in precolonial West Africa, emerging in the late 17th century from the Akan state of Kwaaman, located in present-day Ghana.4 The empire’s influence extended across much of modern-day Ghana and into parts of Ivory Coast and Togo.1 The Asante spider ornament serves as a tangible link to this significant period in African history, reminding us of the artistic skill, political sophistication, and cultural richness of the Asante people.
2 Asante empire | African History, Culture, Map, & Legacy | Britannica
3 Asante Spider | Dallas Museum of Art
4 Legacy of the Asante Empire – Discover Ghana: Culture & Travel
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