Ashanti, Ghana: A pair of sandals of a royal dignitary

“Gold has always been important among the Akan peoples (Ashanti, Fante, Baule, etc.) in the south of Ghana and the Ivory Coast. This area was formerly called the ‘Gold Coast’. Gold was used to make jewellery, gold dust served as ‘currency’, and many objects and regalia at the king’s court were covered in gold leaf. This pair of sandals once belonged to a court dignitary of an Ashanti King