Adinkra Stamp Item Number: 3561/4 a-b from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Adinkra stamp of the 'Kramo Bone' design, carved info a piece of calabash gourd. Part b is the handle, made of four sticks held togther by black thread wrapped around the centre of the sticks. The gourd stamp (part a) has a deeply carved design of interlaced knots. The back surface has four small holes where the pointed ends of the sticks are inserted, crossing midway up, at the thread, to form the handle.

History Of Use

Adinkra stamps are used for printing designs on cloth (e.g., K2.455). The stamps are dipped in adinkra aduru, an ink prepared by boiling chunks of iron slag and bark from the Bridelia ferruginea tree, locally called Badie, into a thick paste that is liquefied before use. The cloth is stamped at local workshops.

Iconographic Meaning

The full name of the design is Kramo Bone Amma Yeanhu Kramo Pa'. The design is similar in style to a Celtic knot.

Cultural Context

textiles

Narrative

Collected by the donor in Ghana, in 1971.

Item History

  • Made in Ghana during 1971
  • Collected during 1971
  • Owned by Susan Stout before April 28, 2022
  • Received from Susan Stout (Donor) on April 28, 2022

What

Name
Adinkra Stamp
Identification Number
3561/4 a-b
Type of Item
stamp
Material
gourd fruit, wood and cotton fibre
Overall
height 9.5 cm, width 5.8 cm, depth 5.6 cm
Part A
height 1.0 cm, width 5.8 cm, depth 5.6 cm
Part B
height 9.0 cm, width 0.2 cm, depth 0.1 cm

Who

Culture
Asante
Previous Owner
Susan Stout
Received from
Susan Stout (Donor)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
Ghana

When

Creation Date
during 1971
Collection Date
during 1971
Ownership Date
before April 28, 2022
Acquisition Date
on April 28, 2022

Other

Condition
good
Accession Number
3561/0004 a-b