Queen Mother Cloth in the Mmaban ("Mixed" or "There Are Many") Pattern
Artist
Asante artist
Datecirca 1930–1940
MediumRayon
Dimensions62 x 101 in. (157.5 x 256.5 cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineGift of the NCMA Docents
Object number2000.6.5
On View
Not on viewThis elegant cloth was woven for a queen mother, who serves as co-ruler and has joint responsibility with the king for all affairs of the state. The title of queen mother can relate to the rank of a paramount queen (highest), a queen, or a subqueen, as each town has its own royal lineage. A woman in this role is not necessarily the respective chief’s mother (though she would be related to him on his mother’s side). She is appointed by elders for her seniority and ability to rule. A cloth in the mmaban design is composed of two or more warp patterns, thus “mixed.”ProvenanceSamuel Cophie, Bonwire, Ghana; purchased by NCMA docents 2000; given to NCMA 2000.Exhibition HistoryRaleigh, NC, North Carolina Museum of Art, "The People's Collection, Reimagined," December 9, 2024-October 20, 2025. Object Rights Statement
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Artist Unknown
circa 1920–1930
Opanyin James Osei Kwaku Antobreh
2000
