CROWN JEWELS OF ASHANTEE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVI, Issue XXII, 30 May 1896, Page 626

CROWN JEWELS OF ASHANTEE.

THE royal jewellery and other treasures of Ashantee brought to England by Sir Francis Scott have proved to be of very disappointing intrinsic value. It is estimated that they would be worth but some ,£2,000 in actual bullion ; but if they are sold by auction as curiosities they may realise a considerably larger sum, since many of the trophies are almost unique as specimens of the rude workmanship of the King Prempeh’s crown is made of thin hide, lined with silk, and surmounted by two golden horns. All round the sides are affixed models in solid gold of lion’s heads, together with human heads and jawbones. If thejewels

are disposed of by auction, an exception will be made of this crown, which is destined to find a resting-place at indsor Castle. Another peculiar curiosity is a cup made of solid gold, after exactly the same pattern as those used for incense in the Roman Catholic ritual. This and sundryother trinkets are chiefly of interest for the close imitation of European models shown in their workmanship. The inventive faculty would seem to have little kinship with what counts for civilisation in Ashantee. The sheath of the chief sacrificial sword is the most notable item among the spoils. This bears embossed designs in gold of the trunks of beheaded men. Smaller articles of jewellery, which are supposed to have belonged to the Queen, are of quaint design, but few of them are of solid gold.