'War Paint pot' yeah right! - African Bronze

Atlantia · 8th May 2009, 05:31 PM

Heres a little pot I bought at the weekend. Picked it up to have a look and the chap selling it decided to give me its lifestory!
Well, tell me a tall tale anyway!
Apparently its a warriors 'war paint pot' LOL that his grandfather bought back from some conflict in Africa!

I think he mistook my trying not to laugh for enthusiasm

But as it was cheapish and I couldn't keep the grin off my face I ended up buying it!
In fairness, it does seem to have real age.
So, can anyone tell me what it really was made for? Oh, and where its from?

colin henshaw · 8th May 2009, 09:39 PM

Hi

Its from West Africa, probably Ghana. Made by the "lost wax" brass casting technique. Could be for containing gold dust, small goldweights, or even just an early piece made for resale ? Congrats.

Jim McDougall · 8th May 2009, 10:51 PM

Hi Gene,
I think one of the most delightful and entertaining elements of collecting is often the incredible stories told by sellers, many dealers, and owners of items. Hollywood screenwriters look out!!! These folks are right on your heels .
Often while listening to these, my brain is often in 'full annotate' (similiar to overdrive

.

Very nice piece, whatever it is for.

All the best,
Jim

Atlantia · 8th May 2009, 11:55 PM

Hi Colin,
Thanks, it's Ashanti then is it?
I think I have a little gold weight!

Jim,

I do love the 'tall tales', I guess that when things come down through the generations they often acquire a bit of a 'hollywood' past!
I remember my dad telling similarly exagerated tales about things he got for me when I was a kid.
I thought this one would tickle you guys! You kinda get used to claims of 'from such & such a battle' being added to swords, but this was a new one on me.

Regards
Gene

8th May 2009, 05:31 PM	#1
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	'War Paint pot' yeah right! - African Bronze Heres a little pot I bought at the weekend. Picked it up to have a look and the chap selling it decided to give me its lifestory! Well, tell me a tall tale anyway! Apparently its a warriors 'war paint pot' LOL that his grandfather bought back from some conflict in Africa! I think he mistook my trying not to laugh for enthusiasm But as it was cheapish and I couldn't keep the grin off my face I ended up buying it! In fairness, it does seem to have real age. So, can anyone tell me what it really was made for? Oh, and where its from?

8th May 2009, 09:39 PM	#2
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,429	Hi Its from West Africa, probably Ghana. Made by the "lost wax" brass casting technique. Could be for containing gold dust, small goldweights, or even just an early piece made for resale ? Congrats.

8th May 2009, 10:51 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,670	Hi Gene, I think one of the most delightful and entertaining elements of collecting is often the incredible stories told by sellers, many dealers, and owners of items. Hollywood screenwriters look out!!! These folks are right on your heels . Often while listening to these, my brain is often in 'full annotate' (similiar to overdrive . Very nice piece, whatever it is for. All the best, Jim

8th May 2009, 11:55 PM	#4
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Hi Colin, Thanks, it's Ashanti then is it? I think I have a little gold weight! Jim, I do love the 'tall tales', I guess that when things come down through the generations they often acquire a bit of a 'hollywood' past! I remember my dad telling similarly exagerated tales about things he got for me when I was a kid. I thought this one would tickle you guys! You kinda get used to claims of 'from such & such a battle' being added to swords, but this was a new one on me. Regards Gene