AKAN, Ghana/Côte d'Ivoire. Copper alloy, lost wax casting. A tripod receptacle for storing gold powder known as "Kuduo", the lid depicts a narrative scene of a king or traditional chief sheltered by an umbrella held by a servant and receiving a dignitary. It is a material support for the N'toro (spirit of the ancestors) associated with the private cults of noble families. 1st third of the 20th century. Height: 21 cm. Minor old damage. Provenance: François Bertrand Collection, Paris. Then by descent. Would have been acquired from the Maurice Ratton gallery (family tradition).