handmade

Evoking desire, this Ghanaian shawl features checked motifs and stripes in tones of cerise, viridian, and pastel yellow. Rachel Armah creates this shawl, which is handwoven of a rayon and cotton blend in the traditional style of African kente cloth. The artisan combines three strips of the fabric.

Evoking desire, this Ghanaian shawl features checked motifs and stripes in tones of cerise, viridian, and pastel yellow. Rachel Armah creates this shawl, which is handwoven of a rayon and cotton blend in the traditional style of African kente cloth. The artisan combines four strips of the fabric.

Combining shades of pale gray and black, Gobah Tengey-Seddoh creates an outstanding example of kente cloth art. Gray derives its symbolism from ash, used for healing and cleansing rituals. Black represents physical aging and the spiritual maturity it brings. Each strip requires considerable effort, and the looms are worked with both hands and feet. The patterns themselves are carefully chosen symbols, which a master weaver develops and names, often to honor people, historical events or proverbs.

Bathed in moonlight, a traditional Ghanaian country home nestles at the foot of a baobab tree. K. Baka conveys sensations of beauty and safety in this beautiful signature shawl. He works in batik on cotton and adds fringe at each end.

Thick yarns add rich texture to this fascinating kente cloth shawl by Gobah Tengey-Seddoh. Strips of black, white and Delft blue make a dramatic and handsome color combination. Designed and woven of coarse local cotton in the 12th century, the lokpo pattern means "heavy or thick in texture."

Each strip requires considerable effort, and the looms are worked with both hands and feet. Strips are generally three to four inches wide and seven to ten feet long, and the length of time it takes to complete one strip varies by the complexity of the chosen pattern. The simplest use mostly vertical, or warp patterns, and an experienced weaver can make several of those in one day. However patterns with nearly all weft (horizontal thread) patterns where the warp design is hardly visible can take up to four days to complete an individual strip. Each color has its own meanings in Asante culture. Green is fertility and new harvest, gold is royalty, black is strength, aging and spirituality, while white is purity. The patterns themselves are carefully chosen symbols, which a master weaver develops and names, often to honor people, historical events, or proverbs.

Silk brings a delightful sheen to this shawl by Syed Izaz Hussein. Woven of a wool and silk blend, the lightweight wrap features exquisite textures and fringe at each end.

By Yuni Kristina, this extraordinary shawl features ornate motifs from Java's wealth of historic art. She creates a patchwork pattern in hand-stamped batik on luxurious silk. The design takes its name from Java's Sarangan Lake.

Working with traditional Indonesian batik techniques, Yuni Kristina creates original patterns for today's modern trends. They are painted by hand on a silk shawl of exquisite elegance.

Woven by hand, traditional West African kente cloth becomes a colorful scarf. Rachel Armah presents a traditional design known as Edwene Si Edwene So. The phrase means "double wisdom as special as gold" in the Akan language. Each strip of kente cloth requires considerable effort, and the looms are worked with both hands and feet. Each color has its own meanings in Asante culture. Green is fertility and new harvest, gold is royalty, black is strength, aging and spirituality, and white is purity.

Curling leaves sway throughout the silk textures of this exquisite shawl from Melati's Collection. Classic batik techniques reveal the leafy patterns once reserved for the sole use of Indonesian royals.

Arrives in a custom made gift box.

Colorful chrysanthemums cover a radiant shawl of orange silk. Working with traditional batik techniques, Yuni Kristina creates a wrap of graceful femininity.

Blissful butterflies browse luxurious blossoms on rich brown silk. Created in batik, the motifs distinguish an elegant shawl by Java's Yuni Kristina.