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Asafo flag. Red cotton background w/three-headed composite dragon-like animal w/ long tail. Design is applied with yellow thread applique. The Union Jack is in the top left corner (25 cm x 38 cm.)
Asafo Flag
Courtesy of the Harn Museum of Art, Photography by Foad Seyed Mohammadi

Asafo Flag

Maker Fante Artist
Datemid 20th century
Place of originGhana, Africa
MediumCotton
Dimensions35 13/16 x 53 1/8 in. (91 x 135 cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineMuseum purchase, funds provided by the Caroline Julier and James G. Richardson Acquisition Fund
Object number2009.32.14
Collections
Visual DescriptionAsafo flag. Red cotton background w/three-headed composite dragon-like animal w/ long tail. Design is applied with yellow thread applique. The Union Jack is in the top left corner (25 cm x 38 cm.)
An early Asofo flag with the Union jack which suggests it was fabricated during the Colonial Era prior to 1957. It is constructed through a process of applique, patchwork and embroidery. The fringe is mage from torn shreds of cotton. The large mythical beast is an allegorical reference to European heraldry and images of griffins and dragons.
Asofo Flag
Fante Artist
Before 1957
Rectangular field, with appliqués images, both sides, of crocodile (black) and birds (blue and black); crabs? (pink) and a circular pool with 5 fish (yellow, red and orange on black field); some embroidered details; Union Jack in upper left corner, border of black and red checkerboard, fringed in white on three sides, sleeve on left side, white fabric.
Asafo Company Flag with Crocodile (frankaa)
Fante Artist
after 1950
A large flag that is fabricated in a combination of applique, patchwork and embroidery techniques. The stitch work is refined and there is attention to detail: for example, the tongues and teeth of the three headed dragon are carefully embroidered; the ear, blood on the neck of the wounded victim are also highlighted. This flag is particularly interesting as it's flag looks more like a Norwegian flag (or cross) than a British flag.
Asofo Flag
Fante Artist
Before 1957
Riga indigo blue very narrow band (5cm w.) striped. Extensive embroidery on front with the numerous eyelets called "a thousand ant holes". Black has simple, well embroidered circle. Fabric is light/fine. 158 cm. (lower width)
Man's Robe (riga)
Hausa Artist
late 20th century
Rectangular field, with appliquéd images, both sides, of griffin (black) and other quadrupeds; some brocade cloth used for appliqué work.
Asafo Company Flag with Griffin (frankaa)
Kweku Kakanu
c. 1940s
Striped, multi-colored cotton warp w/ predominately black and white striped interspersed with orange, pink and lime green narrow stripes w/ brown bands on selvedges; cotton weft design in white cotton along the ends. Two pieces of equal width sewn together.
Lamba
Malagasy Artist
late 20th century
White wool warp with narrow separate bands, 1-5 cm. of geometric patterns in diamonds, clusters, comb-like design (compare to women's tattoo designs). Loose weaving on reverse (not kilim). Black strip on back for hanging.
Tapestry, (Ksaya)
Amazigh Artist
c. 1973
Two-piece ensemble Tunic made of synthetic damask cloth w/ silk embroidered geometric patterns in black, yellow, red, green; with mother of pearl buttons large and small sewn throughout in geometric patterns; see-through synthetic black panels on side of top "asherah nahuak; white cotton muslin trousers "srauleen" w/ silk embroidery on lower legs in red, orange, green, yellow and black thread"
Woman's Wedding Ensemble
Amazigh Artist
late 20th century
Maroon wool cloth "Akunitan" w/ chief's seat, lion, lizard, porcupine, snake, elephant with gold, green, blue and white threads machine embroidered.
Cloth of the Great (akunitan)
Asante Artist
late 20th century
Sandy/light beige commercial cotton background with six panels with a band of embroidered threads in burgundy, black, yellow, blue, grey and green between each panel and this holds the panels together; w/black stamped Adinkra patterns done in squares which are outlined in five black lines framing these squares including: spider (ananse), unity (obi nka obie), fern (aya), spiritual cleanliness (musuyidie), circular house (fihankra), and rams' horns and other patterns.
Adinkra Cloth
Akan Artist
late 20th century
White cotton factory cloth with twisted tufts, tied with cotton thread in preparation for dyeing.
Apollo
Sierra Leonean Artist
1973
Navy and gray stripe with overshot color bands, 22 strip-woven panels hand-sewn together. Warp and weft threads dyes in 10 colors.
Man's Cloth (adanudo)
Ewe Artist
20th century

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