The Ashanti form a coastal kingdom in Ghana. The first Western navigators came into contact with them in 1471. Trading posts were set up and the exchange of raw materials and slaves from continental regions quickly enriched the kingdom.

Ashanti artistic production is very rich. There are very famous dolls called akua'ba, stools, and bronze or copper pots like this one called kuduo. This type of container was used to store precious objects during religious ceremonies. Provenance: tribal art collection in the UK.