The Asante are very well known for their beautiful handwoven Kente cloth. Typically this fabric is made up of a silk and cotton blend and comes in many bright colors and patterns. This particular piece measures 80 inches long by 45 inches wide. Vintage fabrics may have rips or tears. Please inspect photos carefully.
Asante Handwoven Kente Cloth 80″ x 45″ – Ghana – African Art
$87.50
Sold
Type of Object | Textile |
---|---|
Country of Origin | Ghana |
Ethnicity | Asante |
Material | Cotton and silk blend |
Approximate Age | Unknown |
Height (Inches) | 80" |
Width (Inches) | 45" |
Weight (Pounds) | 2 lbs |
Overall Condition | Textiles may have tears and loose seams. Inspect photos carefully. |
Tribe Information
About the Asante People
“When they arrived on the coast of Ghana in 1471, Portuguese sailors were astonished by the highly structured kingdoms they encountered. This initial contact, along with the area’s reputation for being wealthy, encouraged Westerners to settle in the region and to trade bronze and European-manufactured objects for Ghanaian gold and slaves.”
“The first area, which lies along the coast of the Gulf of Guinea, is a flat plain covered with shrubs occasionally interrupted by lagoons. It is divided into numerous kingdoms of which the most well known are the Fante and the Ewe. The second area includes the central part of the country. It is a forest area where the most renowned tribes is undoubtedly the Asante (also known as the Ashanti). The Asante tribe, as well as other people living in central and south Ghana, speak the Twi language and collectively form the Akan people. The third area, in northern Ghana, is covered by the savannah and is the habitat of Gur-speaking people whose traditions and religions are still poorly understood.”
Sources:
Baquart, Jean-Baptiste. The Tribal Arts of Africa. New York: Thames and Hudson Inc. 1998. Print.