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Catalog Data

Maker:
Akan artist  Search this
Medium:
Gourd, plant fiber or wood, cloth, cord
Dimensions:
H x W x D: 7.8 x 9 x 11.4 cm (3 1/16 x 3 9/16 x 4 1/2 in.)
Type:
Sculpture
Geography:
Ghana
Date:
Late 20th century
Label Text:
Adinkra stamps are made of dried gourd that has been cut and shaped into designs. The stamp is dipped into a thick dye made of boiled tree bark, iron slag, and water. A cloth is usually stamped with several adinkra signs arranged in grid-like registers and bordered by parallel lines.
The star recalls a proverb emphasizing the importance of faith and reliance on others: “Like the star, the child of the Supreme Being, I rest with God and do not depend upon myself [alone].”
Description:
Adinkra stamp in the shape of a square with an eight-pointed star at the center and three lines across each corner.
Provenance:
Roy and Brigitta Mitchell, Washington, D.C., -- to 2010
Exhibition History:
Visionary: Viewpoints on Africa's Arts, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., November 4, 2017-ongoing
African Cosmos: Stellar Arts, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., June 20-December 9, 2012; Newark Museum, February 26-August 11, 2013; Los Angeles County Museum of Art, August 23-November 30, 2014; Michael C. Carlos Museum at Emory University, Atlanta, January 31-June 21, 2015 (exhibited at NMAfA , Newark Museum and Carlos Museum)
Content Statement:
As part of our commitment to accessibility and transparency, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art is placing its collection records online. Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks. If you see content requiring immediate action, we will do our best to address it in a timely manner. Please email nmafacuratorial@si.edu if you have any questions.
Image Requests:
High resolution digital images are not available for some objects. For publication quality photography and permissions, please contact the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at https://africa.si.edu/research/eliot-elisofon-photographic-archives/
Topic:
Weaving  Search this
Male use  Search this
star  Search this
male  Search this
Credit Line:
Gift of the Roy and Brigitta Mitchell Collection
Object number:
2010-10-330
Restrictions & Rights:
Usage conditions apply
See more items in:
National Museum of African Art Collection
Exhibition:
Visionary: Viewpoints on Africa's Arts
On View:
NMAfA, Second Level Gallery (2193)
Data Source:
National Museum of African Art
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ys7a8e22bfb-bbad-47ad-918f-e15afc5ea72a
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmafa_2010-10-330