Gold leaf coated Spakers Baton, originated from Tha Court of Asante Kings, Ghana
 
The spokespersons and advisors to the rulers, called okyeame, carry a dignitary staff (poma) carved out of wood as an insignia of office. This insignia usually consists of several parts that are stuck together and covered with gold leaf or gold plate. At its upper end it is crowned by figurative representations of proverbs.
 
The use of these official signs dates back to the 17th century. Inspired by the pommelled sticks carried by European merchants, the custom developed that messengers and envoys of the Asante king carried such sticks as a sign of their authority.
 
The porcupine usually stands for military strength, bravery or even invincibility. The proverbs associated with the animal ("kotoko") usually refer to its excellent defence: "No one rubs his butt against a porcupine", "The porcupine has spears on its back, no one is able to overcome it", or even "If thousands are killed, thousands follow".A proverb to go with this staff would be, for example, "When the porcupine grows fat, the rotten tree trunk profits." The hollow tree trunk (the people) would thereby be the porcupine's (ruler's) den.
 
Made of wood, covered with gold leaf
 
Dimensions:
 
H: 140 cm, mounted on a metal base
 
Provenance:
Swiss Private Collection
 
Exhibited:
Musée International du Golfe de Guinée, Togo (2005-2011).
 
"A speaker makes the chief's words sweet." (Asante proverb).
 
Further reading:
Ross, Doran and Eisner, Georg (2008). The Gold of the Akan. Museum Liaunig. Neuhaus: Museumsverwaltung GmbH.