Ethnic Design Collection Reto Zehnder

An old hand woven mud dyed fabric collected in Mali in 1978.

Eleven cotton strips, woven on a narrow loom and then sewn together. A lovely cotton fabric. It was then dyed to get a deep yellow-mustard- colour on black wich motifs stamped on it.

Nine handwovwn narrow white cotton strips wit a black design. Beautiful modern fabric

Stripweaves are woven on a narrow loom and then sewing several widths together to form large rectangular wraps. Woollen blankets are woven by the Fulani and Songhai tribes. Collected around 1978 in Niger.

Anoter cotton blanket probably bought in 1978 in Niger or Nigeria. The fabric has some stains and needs to be washed

Over-sized men's clothing equates to importance. In northern Nigeria, large silk embroidered robes that are worn, or given to subordinates, are indicative of high status. The triangular knife pattern and the calligraphic spiral rosette may have an underlying protective symbolism that has been overlaid with commercial trade value.

This cotton blanket was collectet in 1978 in Niger. Both Fulani (Peulh) and Songhai use this type of blanket. Typically this size and weight of cloth served multiple purposes as blankets and household furnishings. It has been washed and some of the the indigo blue has rubbed off. /see pictures)

Fulani weavers make theses woollen blankets that are worn in the cold season — woven of white sheep wool for the weft and cotton for the warp on a horizontal strip loom. A lovely, cream-colored blanket in good condition for its age (around 1960).

The mud cloth ( Bogolanfini) is a distinctive textile from Mali in West Africa. The present Bogolanfini is a hand-spun fabric of seven narrow raw cotton strips. The cloth is first soaked in a bath of local leaves such as N'galman and N'tjankara which contain the mordant tannin that dyes the cloth in a deep yellow colour. Then the mud, which has been kept for one year or more and is rich in iron salts. The iron salt of the mud reacts with the tannic acid in the cloth to produce the dark black colour. To reach a deep black colour, the proces may be repeated several times. The geometrical designs are said to have magical properties and the ability to absorb threatening evil spirits through their intricate meandering patterns, typically worn by local tribesmen and women. This cloth was bought in Mali early 1970, before the tourist production started.

This cotton blanket was collectet in 1978 in Niger. Both Fulani (Peulh) and Songhai use this type of blanket. Typically this size and weight of cloth served multiple purposes as blankets and household furnishings.

Songhai or Peulh blanket collected in 1978 in Niger. White cotton with indigo stripes and geometric patterns

A new very colorful Kente cloth from Ghana from Ashanti region in Ghana, bought in Bonwire a famous weaving village in the region. The specific name of the design is not known, any indication is welcomed (info@etnicdesign.ch)

A fine hand woven cloth from Ghana, with grey, yellow and red strips. A traditional, very fine weaving technique from the Ashanti region in Ghana makes this piece an extraordinary cloth. Bought in Ghan in 2017.

An interesting new dark Adinkra cloth on a black cloth Adinkra motifs have been stamped. For signification of Adinkra motifs see 10.09. Bought in 2017 in Kumasi.

A new very colorful complete set of Kente cloth from the Ashanti region in Ghana, bought in Bonwire a famous weaving village in the region. The specific name of the design is not known, any indication is welcomed (info@etnicdesign.ch)

A new very large black and white Kente cloth from the Ashanti region in Ghana, bought in Bonwire a famous weaving village in the region. The geometric non-figurative motifs. Each motif has a proverb associated with it and whole cloth is given a name. Any information of the name of the present cloth is welcomed (info@etnicdesign.ch).

An old large black and green Kente cloth from the Ashanti region in Ghana, in very good condition for its age. It's rare to be able to buy old Kente clothes.

A cloth woven on a large loom, veriy decorative.

A new Kernte cloth with a very fine design. It forms a pair with 10.07.666

A new Kernte cloth with a very fine design. It forms a pair with 10.07.665