Finial

This cast gold eagle (one of a pair) was once attached to a state chair, probably as a finial of the chair used by the Asantehene - the ruler of the Asante people. Chairs are prominent in Asante court regalia and were probably introduced through trade with Europe. They are less rooted in Asante society than stools, which were used by people of every class as the principal domestic seating. State stools were the main symbols of power and continuity of rule.