Gold in der Kunst Westafrikas.

Gold in the Art of West Africa is an exhibition catalogue published in conjunction with a thematic exhibition at the former

Helvetisches Goldmuseum (now part of the Goldkammer Schweiz in Schloss Burgdorf, Switzerland). The volume, edited by Jane and Jean David, presents a bilingual German–English overview of West African goldsmithing and artistic traditions, focusing on ceremonial objects, body ornaments, and metalwork produced by Akan and other cultural groups from the region.

The publication brings together images and contextual texts that explore the aesthetic and cultural significance of gold in West African societies, displaying a range of artifacts such as gilded sculptures, hollow and solid cast pieces, repoussé and chased ceremonial staffs, and body and head ornaments. These works, some reaching up to 150 years in age, reflect the sophisticated metallurgical and artistic practices in regions of present-day Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.

The exhibition and catalogue also address the historical flows of West African gold into European markets during the early periods of Portuguese, British, French, and Dutch expansion, illustrating how local goldworking traditions were both admired and disrupted by colonial and global trade networks. Gold in the Art of West Africa serves as a resource for scholars and collectors interested in African material culture, offering visual documentation and bilingual commentary on a curated selection of gold artworks that highlight their technical mastery and enduring cultural meanings.