Wrap-around robe, "kente", originated from Asante, Ghana
A highly decorativ and vibrant piece of robe, in strong blue, yellow and red. Concists of numeropus woven pieces, sewn togetter tho one large piece. 
 
Material:
Woven Cotton.
 
Dimensions:
W 185 cm. L 290 cm.
 
Provenance:
Keller Collection Switzerland
 
The so-called kente are wraparounds made in Ghana and Togo. 
The term kente for these fabrics probably comes from Fante traders. Asante weavers call them Nsaduaso (for very good quality) comparable to the - disputed - Ewe term Adanudo or Adanuvor.
 
The personally owned cloths are worn on ceremonial or civil occasions, and are thus a visible sign of prestige, rank and belonging. Men use one large scarf, women two smaller ones.
 
The colourful shawls consist of up to 20 separately woven and sewn strips. They were woven exclusively by men, but also worn by women.
 
Certain colours, numbers of bands and motifs are reserved for certain ranks and ceremonies. The seemingly uniform geometric motifs worked into the narrow bands have names that can be read by connoisseurs, similar to pictograms.
 
Due to their value, which is calculated from material costs, labour input and subjective beauty, the textiles are also used as a medium of exchange, gift and investment.
 
Further reading:
Ross, Doran (1998). Wrapped in Pride. Los Angeles: Fowler Museum of Cultural History.