20th century AD. A gilt sword fitting in the form of a warrior holding a large viper by its neck, the tail of the snake curled around his feet, the warrior dressed in a layered loin cloth, large arm-ring to his raised right arm; oval base with geometric border and two suspension loops. For similar see the Dallas Museum of Art exhibition, The Power of Gold, Asante Royal Regalia from Ghana, 15 April 2018: ‘The Dallas Museum of Art presents an exhibition dedicated to the royal regalia of the Asante kingdom. Spanning three centuries, The Power of Gold: Asante Royal Regalia from Ghana brings together over 250 objects, including crowns, sword ornaments, ceremonial furniture, textiles, pectoral disks, weapons, a state umbrella, musical instruments, and jewelry made of wood, silk, brass, iron, and gold. Organized by the DMA and inspired by the Museum’s collection, The Power of Gold is the first American museum exhibition dedicated to Asante regalia in over 30 years, and explores the unique role and impact of gold on the development of Asante society, economy, and arts.’ 1.3 kg, 27.5cm (10 3/4"). UK private collection 2008-2020; acquired from Niger Bend, Chittenango, New York, USA; from the Asante (Ashanti, Achanti) tribe, Ghana, West Africa. The wealthy, gold-rich Ashanti people are part of the Akan ethnic group and are native to the Ashanti Region of modern-day Ghana. In the 1670s the Ashanti, also known as Asante people, went from being a tributary state to the centralised hierarchical Denkyira kingdom. The empire was founded in 1670, and the Asante capital Kumasi was founded in 1680 by Asantehene (emperor) Osei Kofi Tutu I. Ashanti was one of the few African states that seriously resisted European colonizers, however the British finally defeated the kingdom following the ‘War of the Golden Stool’ in 1900. In 1935 the Ashanti became the self-ruling sovereignty of the Kingdom of Ashanti, and the Ashanti King title of Asantehene was revived. [A video of this lot is available on TimeLine Auctions website]