{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O1784104"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1784104/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2025PF9284/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2025PF9284/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2025PF9284","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2025PF9281","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2025PG1194","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2025PF9488","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2025PF9282","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2025PF9280","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O1784104/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O1784104","accessionNumber":"M.20-2025","objectType":"Ring","titles":[{"title":"'Ana' Scorpion ring ","type":"assigned by artist"}],"summaryDescription":"Nana Poku Amponsah Dwumfour is the goldsmith of the Asantehene (overall king of the Asante).  His chieftaincy title, Buramuhene, translates to chief of the furnace in the Akan dialect (Twi). He creates large scale sculptural jewellery and objects which are predominantly made of gold and inspired by proverbs, amulets and symbolism of Asante culture.\r\n\r\nThe Asante are part of the Akan ethnic group who reside throughout parts of modern-day Ghana and neighbouring countries, including Ivory Coast.\r\n\r\nAsante goldsmiths are highly skilled in an ancient technique of lost wax casting which they use to achieve complex works of wearable art. This method of casting is bespoke and labour intensive. Goldsmiths from the region who practice this form of craft are held in high esteem globally.\r\n \r\nThe Asante are known for their use of proverbs in all forms of decorative art and textiles. Proverbs are woven into the fabric of Asante society and artistic interpretation into physical objects is an elegant yet powerful way of imparting wisdom through the ages.\r\n \r\nThis double-tailed scorpion ring, known in the Asante region as ‘Ana’, was made with a traditional Asante gold alloy recipe. This species of scorpion is more common in the semi-arid northern region of Ghana; it delivers a sting which causes a significantly higher level of pain than that of a single-tailed scorpion. The symbolism of this ring serves as a warning; just as a double-tailed scorpion, it reminds the onlooker that the wearer will not pose a threat until they feel provoked. \r\n\r\nNana Poku Amponsah Dwumfour (born Kumasi, Ghana 1959) descends from a lineage of master goldsmiths. For centuries, these master goldsmiths have been responsible for producing jewellery, objects and other functional gold adornments for the Asante Royal Court. Nana began training during his early teens. Hailing from this bloodline, it was expected that he would eventually succeed his predecessors. His childhood consisted of attending school for a comprehensive education and learning traditional goldsmithing techniques, including filigree and granulation, from his father. Over the years, he graduated to learning the ancient art of lost wax casting under the tutelage of his maternal uncle. Following a break from goldsmithing, he was enstooled as Buramuhene in 1990 and returned to his post permanently.  Presently, Nana is the most notable Goldsmith in Ghana; he continues to create in the Kumasi workshop his ancestors used hundreds of years ago.\r\n","physicalDescription":"Large Asante cast, gold double tailed scorpion ring with textured surface and shank.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Amponsah Dwumfour, Nana Poku Buramuhene (Mr)","id":"AUTH400890"},"association":{"text":"artist","id":"AAT25103"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"gold","id":"AAT11021"}],"techniques":[{"text":"lost-wax process","id":"AAT53113"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Made using the ancient Asante lost wax casting techinique. ","categories":[{"text":"Jewellery","id":"THES48930"},{"text":"Africa","id":"THES49019"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"MET","id":"THES48599"},"images":["2025PF9284","2025PF9281","2025PG1194","2025PF9488","2025PF9282","2025PF9280"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"91","id":"THES49703"},"free":"","case":"53","shelf":"B","box":"4"}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"ring","id":"x43339"}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Kumasi","id":"THES279198"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""},{"place":{"text":"Ghana","id":"x30041"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"2024","earliest":"2024-01-01","latest":"2024-12-31"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Purchased through the generosity of William & Judith, Douglas and James Bollinger","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Length","value":"7.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Height","value":"7","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"4.7","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Asante cast gold scorpion ring. 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