Ashanti Bracelet

 The Ashanti task was challenging and required enough attention, in order to achieve the expected outcome. The Bracelet is made in brass. It is all related or made under the influence of the Ashanti gold weights by the Akan people.

The piece consist of two Spiral charms, one Chameleon charm and one proverb interpretation charm hanging on the jump rings bracelet. These charms create a variation of focal points in the bracelet as each charm offers it explanation and all placed in a position of holding its attention from the viewer. 

In class we all had to make similar jump rings chain only charms to be different, this was because that after we had submitted and displayed our work, the bracelets were supposed to be taken to WITZ and be displayed as one huge chain. 

Below are pictures of  a single chain of mine and one of all class bracelets.

My Ashanti Bracelet

Whole Class Bracelets

Manufacturing Ashanti Gold weights

The manufacturing process is split into two parts, casting the models- Chameleon, Spirals and making a ring chain to make the whole pieces into one jewellery or bracelet. The charms were made separately and the chain was also made separately.

The chain was also made in brass with jump rings. These jump rings were ought to be flat, either tapered hammered or filed. I started with finishing the models before starting with the chain as I estimated that it will require much attention on casting the models, so it was wise to finish with it first before the chain.

After casting the proverb piece and chameleon, I then started with my chain and finished it in a day. Then the following day I soldered the rings with the models and put it on acid for a day. I did the filling and the bracelet was done.

Below are picture of the casting process ( Wax Tree)

Wax Tree before Casting

   

Designing Ashanti

 Designing was a crucial and a important step since this is where you knew or gathered ideas and figuring out if it is possible to come out with required outcome. Designing the chameleon was less difficult than the process of designing the proverb. 

We already had references from the Ashanti gold weights for the chameleon model unlike for the proverb model, it was supposed to be considered by our own imaginations. We started off with doing sketch drawings, then started the process of making wax. Drawing the chameleon design was easy and unlike making it. 

Doing drawings for the proverb did not offer much challenge so as creating a model that interprets my proverb of choice in wax.

Below are pictures of chameleon and proverb design drawings. 

Ashanti and Proverb Facts

Chameleon drawing

Proverb Drawings and Ideas

Personal Interpretation

The process insist of two models to be manufactured beside the spirals. There is a Chameleon and a Proverb interpreted in a piece of jewellery. For the Chameleon we already had ideas and references from the original chameleon pieces by the Akan people. For the personal proverb we were ought to choose from our own proverbs of choice and interpret it. 

'I remember very clearly someone saying, "Don't shake hands with the cactus, and I thought, 'Well, why not? What could possibly go wrong? Shaking hands is a friendly gesture.' - Benedict Camberbatch

This quote above came into my head and I decided to go with the Zulu proverb 'Izandla ziyagezana (A person is a person because of another person), meaning we all need each other to archive greatness. I decided to make two hands shaking. 

Pictures below are of my proverb piece in wax and brass form.

Proverb Model in wax.

Proverb Model in Brass.

Introduction to Ashanti

In this project, the whole process is related or the theme of the task is on the Ashanti Gold weights from the 1400-1720 AD era. These gold weights by the west African tribes were used as a measuring system of currency in matters related trades. The Akan people made these gold weights in brass, meticulously carved. 

For the project we were assigned to research on Ashanti gold weights and do pins on Pinterest of images of the Ashanti gold weights. Thereafter, We were supposed to design and make two spirals and one modeled proverb. The proverb was supposed to be of our own personal choice proverbs portrayed in a piece of  jewelry.

Ashanti Charmeleon gold weight