Vtg Antq? LOT Ghana Africa Ashanti Lost Wax Metal Figurines Villagers or Slaves for Sale

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Vtg Antq? LOT Ghana Africa Ashanti Lost Wax Metal Figurines Villagers or Slaves For Sale

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Vtg Antq? LOT Ghana Africa Ashanti Lost Wax Metal Figurines Villagers or Slaves:
$74.99

Estate purchase from the estate of an elderly couple who were extensive travelers - most of their items from Africa, various areas in the Middle East and South America. I don\'t know the exact age of these (and wasn\'t familiar with \'Lost Wax Casting\' until I purchased these and did a little research on them), but they are clearly older (possibly antique?). I don’t know if the metal is bronze, brass or other - a magnet does not stick to the figures. They have remnants of old gilt/gilding. They are somewhat primitive/rustic with a \'rough\' finish - not like smooth bronze fine art sculptures.
At first glance when viewing the online sale catalog, I thought they were all playing tribal musical instruments. When I viewed in person, I realized they held tools and were working - assuming they were tribesmen who were working to the common good of the village. Then I researched the Lost Wax Casting Process and the Ashanti/Asante Empire and found they were involved in both the gold and the slave trades. My guess is these figures may represent both - slaves who were performing labor associated with mining and selling/trading gold. My reasoning: all the workers have long hair, loincloth type clothing and very large noses (very different from the man on the horse). The horseman appears to be a \'Watchman\' over the slaves - the horse has what looks like a primitive \'sight\' attached to the bridle - so the watchman can really focus in on the workers and/or tasks being performed. I could be way off, but this is the impression that I got from these pieces.:
One (1) Mounted Horseman - 6.5\" tall.
Three (3) Standing Workers - 4.75\" - 5.25\" tall. One with a spade/digging tool, One stirring contents in a pot and One with a vessel on his head, carrying water or some other substance.
One (1) Sitting Worker - 4\" tall (including stir stick). Stirring or mixing something in a pot.
One (1) Kneeling Worker - 2.25\" high. Either washing clothes on rocks, cleaning rocks, or possibly panning/processing gold nuggets.
Very interesting grouping.
Please open all photos in full/enlarged size as they provide an accurate depiction and detail. Last photo is for size/scale reference next to standard size bean can. I am happy to provide more photos or detail upon request. Prior to packaging, this lot weighs 1 pound, 13 ounces.
I have a similar set from the same estate - animals instead of humans - and will be listing other as relics from this estate.