Ashanti Triangular Gold Box with Leopard Finial

Feline guards the lid of this small footed chest with a toothy glare.

This triangular gold box with a leopard finial is Ashanti, from Ghana, West Africa, and dates to the 20th century. It is bronze. The Ashanti of Ghana are well known for cast metalwork, including small boxes and weights made by the lost-wax method. Little triangular-topped box rests on four coiled spiral feet. The sides are covered in diamond lattice and rings of tiny spirals, and a cat-like figure with open mouth stands on the lid in dark golden-brown metal. It is 3.5 inches wide, 3 deep and 5 high.

Compact security, with a watch cat included.