All That Glitters Is Gold at South African Museum

CAPE TOWN, South Africa--The goal of Cape Town’s newest museum is not to be a museum at all but an evolving “organic” complex, says director Christopher Till. The Gold of Africa Museum, opened in February by South Africa’s gold-producing giant AngloGold Ltd., has eye-popping displays of gold artifacts, an education center, a sculpture garden, a goldsmith’s workshop and a shop with designs from local artists.

The highlight is the Barbier-Mueller Collection, where more than 350 gold objects are displayed in showcases suspended above a river of black sand. There are rings from the Akan tribe, some as heavy as 30 to 50 grams, and ornate pectoral plates inlaid with animal designs. And lest you wonder about the future, the Gavin Rajah Haute Couture Collection vamps what looks like a gold chain-mail bikini.

The ascent to the exhibition begins with images of historic kings in their gold regalia suspended ethereally about the stairwell. An illuminated timeline of world history highlights historic trade routes. Another area shows objects from ancient African gravesites.

The museum, at 96 Strand St. in downtown Cape Town, is open Monday through Saturday. Exhibit fees are about $2 adults, $1 children. 011-27-21-405-1540, www.goldofafrica.com.