Material Information |
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Title: |
Seated Female Figure (esi mansa) |
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Physical Description: |
Wood, paint, patina |
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Creator: |
Akan People (Fante) |
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Donor: |
McGalliard, Rod ( donor ) |
Subjects |
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Subject: |
Exhibition -- Between the Beads: Reading African Beadwork |
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Spatial Coverage: |
Africa -- Ghana |
Notes |
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Abstract: |
Fante society is matrilineal and most of Fante art focuses on motherhood. Figures seated on a ceremonial stool are known as Esi Mansa, meaning “Esi’s third child.” Esi Mansa figures are placed on shrines where they receive offerings to ensure continuity and well-being of the lineage. The imported glass beaded necklace and waist beads on this example were given to honor and embellish the figures, but the yellow multi-stranded waist beads on both the mother and child, indicating that both are female, remind us that Fante parents fervently hope to have a daughter to carry on the family name. The white beaded necklace serves as a symbol of spiritual purity. |
Record Information |
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Bibliographic ID: |
UF00083046 |
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Volume ID: |
VID00001 |
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Source Institution: |
Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art |
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Holding Location: |
Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art |
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Rights Management: |
All rights reserved by the source institution and holding location. |
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Resource Identifier: |
1991.27.32 |
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