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Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Anonymous Fante artist (Ghana), Asafo militia’s company flag, frankaa, early 20th century Asafo militia’s company flag, frankaa
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Anonymous Fante artist (Ghana), Asafo militia’s company flag, frankaa, early 20th century Asafo militia’s company flag, frankaa
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Anonymous Fante artist (Ghana), Asafo militia’s company flag, frankaa, early 20th century Asafo militia’s company flag, frankaa
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Anonymous Fante artist (Ghana), Asafo militia’s company flag, frankaa, early 20th century Asafo militia’s company flag, frankaa

Anonymous Fante artist (Ghana)

Asafo militia’s company flag, frankaa, early 20th century
Cotton, applique, embroidery

73 x 136 cm
28 37/50 x 53 27/50 in
Duende Art Projects
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While this flag at first glance might appear to feature an abstract design, it in fact represents a draughts gameboard. With the exception of the Union Jack and the white...
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While this flag at first glance might appear to feature an abstract design, it in fact represents a draughts gameboard. With the exception of the Union Jack and the white fabric edge that held the flagpole, only black and white squares make up this hypnotical flag. The border can only be distinguished from the image field by the narrower fields of black and white, which seems to set the static checkerboard pattern in motion towards the edges. The Fante symbol of the game board refers to the moment during which two opponents play a strategic board game, which can be intepreted a metaphor for war. It also refers to the proverb: “We can defeat our enemies at draughts thousand times a day”, signaling the company’s strategic war capabilities. While representations of the checkers board game are known in Asafo iconography, the theme in this flag is reproduced in such a condensed and concentrated manner, maximizing the connection between content and form, it challenges the viewer's knowledge on a linguistic and visual level in equal measure. The design of the Union Jack of this flag allows it to be attributed to a yet to be identified workshop to which other flags with an identically designed Union Jack can also be ascribed (see Güse, Ernst-Gerhard, “Asafo. Fahnen aus Ghana”, Munich, Prestel, 1995, no. 23-25 ​​and no. 72).

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Provenance

Collection Alain Dufour, Paris

Collection Han & Nina Simonis, Düsseldorf

Exhibitions

“Asafo. Fahnen aus Ghana”


Saarland Museum, Saarbrücken, 19 February – 17 April 1995

Afrika Museum, Berg en Dal, 1 May – 1 November 1995




Publications

Güse, Ernst-Gerhard, “Asafo. Fahnen aus Ghana”, Munich, Prestel, 1995, no. 71

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