Images(2)

Ring: Wisdom Knot

Date20th century

Label TextAsante instill meanings in what can seem to be mundane objects: the forms of peanuts, grubs, porcupines, knots and seed pods appear in golden splendor. Proverbs behind the rings suggest the wisdom in the ordinary. A bulbous twisting form is best known as the wisdom knot: "When the thread gets tangled, use both hands to untie it," meaning even the wise man needs another's advice to solve a problem.

Object number81.17.399

Photo CreditPhoto: Paul Macapia

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Art from Africa: Long Steps Never Broke a Back, Feb. 7 - May 19, 2002 (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Oct. 2, 2004 - Jan. 2, 2005; Hartford, Connecticut, Wadsworth Atheneum, Feb. 12 - June 19, 2005; Cincinnati, Ohio, Cincinnati Art Museum, Oct. 8, 2005 - Jan. 1, 2006; Nashville, Tennessee, Frist Center for the Visual Arts, Jan. 27 - Apr. 30, 2006 [as African Art, African Voices: Long Steps Never Broke a Back]). Text by Pamela McClusky. No cat. no., pp. 80-81, reproduced pl. 43. Seattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Lessons from the Institute of Empathy, Mar. 31, 2018 - ongoing.

Credit LineGift of Katherine White and the Boeing Company

Dimensions2 1/4 x 1 5/8 x 1 1/4 in. (5.7 x 4.2 x 3.2 cm)

MediumGold