Huge one of a kind Akan/Ashanti brass kuduo vessel with numerous human and animal figures

This is a very unique Ashanti/Asante kuduo (lidded vessel) from Ghana possibly from the late 19th or early 20th century. Kuduo were the possessions of kings and courtiers in the Akan kingdoms. Kuduo are made from cast brass and its uses are mainly ceremonial and ritual, such as for sacrificial offerings, in newborn rites, female puberty celebrations, twins festivals, royal purifications and funerals. Often filled with gold dust, gold weights, pearls, or other precious items, kuduo were associated with the owner's kra (life force/soul) and were often buried with the body of the deceased person. This particular kuduo features 25 3D animal figures, 7 3D human figures, 4 bas reliefs of human faces and 6 bas reliefs of frogs and lizards. When the lid is lifted one can see a mouse chewing on grass near the opening. There are terraces, balconies and fanciful stacks of mice and elephants as well as chickens and a lone cat. It rises on a pedestal with traditional coil cast designs. There is some damage to the plate connected to the support pedestal. So, a slight slant of the overall piece can be seen. It is 15” wide, 18" tall and weighs about 48 lb. I have not seen anything this ornate and large before.

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