Code: K216 - Fine and rare Asante silk man's kente cloth from a Ghanaian royal collection. This cloth dates to around 1930-50 and expressed its splendour more through its heavy weight and abundance of expensive silk "double weave" patterning than through elaboration of design. The same weft float patterns occur throughout, which is a feature of cloths from this period, but variety is added by subtle variations in the colours and widths of the weft stripes. "Mmeeda" warp stripe design: Ross 1998:115 notes mmeeda means "something extraordinary" and cites Rattray (1927:241) "Asonawo mmada" - "the father of King Bonsu Panyin was Owusu Ansa, who belonged to the Asona clan, the first of that clan ever to be father of an Asante king." The dominant weft motifs are two variants on (Ross page 123) "Fa Hia Kotwere Agyeman may be translated as "Lean on Agyeman" or "Show your poverty to Agyeman"; implicit in this name is the promise that Agyeman (Prempeh II, 1935-76) woulde help solve the supplicants problems." In very good condition (has a couple of tiny holes less that 1cm). Measurements: 127 inches x81 ins, 322cm x 207cm. PRICE: US$1850.
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