H x W x D: 6.1 x 11.5 x 12.1 cm (2 3/8 x 4 1/2 x 4 3/4 in.)
Type:
Sculpture
Geography:
Ghana
Date:
Late 20th century
Label Text:
Adinkra cloth patterns are produced by first drawing with dark iron rich ink the border and cross lines with a tool resembling a comb, creating a grid of rectangular fields. In each rectangle and along the borders of the grid, the artist stamped a single symbol or group of symbols. Stamps were made of dried gourd, cut and shaped to produce the desired symbol. This stamp has the pattern repeated twice--"Dwennimmen ntoasoc" or Double ram's horns. It is a symbol of humility combined with strength, just as a ram will fight fiercely yet tamely be slaughtered by man.
Historically Asante royalty wore adinkra as large white and maroon wrappers only during periods of mourning. Though still worn in times of grief, adinkra cloths recently have become increasingly fashionable and are made with an increasing number of symbols stamped on a variety of colored cloths for a widening number of festivites.
Description:
Adinkra stamp in the form of a rectangular, double pattern of four scrolls with a lozenge shape at the center and lines extending from it at the left and right. "Dwennimmen ntoasoc" (Double ram's horns).
Provenance:
Roy and Brigitta Mitchell, Washington, D.C., -- to 2010
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