Object Details
- Label Text
- This piece of raffia cloth is typical of that made by the Shoowa, a Kuba group who live south of the Sankuru river. Its style--the overall balanced pattern, the deep plush and even lines--is what they make for their own use and differs markedly from the style they use for export to other Kuba groups. It is used by the purchasers in a wide variety of ways as currency, household furnishings.
- Description
- Rectangular raffia panel with overall lozenge motif of black outline stitch, plush stitch in deep yellow and black. One side is fringed.
- Provenance
- Eliot Elisofon, New York, 1947 to 1973
- Exhibition History
- Conversations: African and African American Artworks in Dialogue - From the Collections of the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art and Camille O. and William H. Cosby, Jr., National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, November 7, 2014-January 24, 2016
- Published References
- Kreamer, Christine Mullen and Adrienne L. Childs (eds). 2014. Conversations: African and African American Artworks in Dialogue from the Collections of the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art and Camille O. and William H. Cosby, Jr. Washington, D.C.: National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, pp. 162-163, 177, no. 91, pl. 84.
- Content Statement
- As part of our commitment to accessibility and transparency, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art is placing its collection records online. Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks. If you see content requiring immediate action, we will do our best to address it in a timely manner. Please email nmafacuratorial@si.edu if you have any questions.
- Image Requests
- High resolution digital images are not available for some objects. For publication quality photography and permissions, please contact the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at https://africa.si.edu/research/eliot-elisofon-photographic-archives/
- Data Source
- National Museum of African Art
- Maker
- Kuba artist
- Date
- Mid-20th century
- Credit Line
- Bequest of Eliot Elisofon
- Medium
- Raffia, dye
- Dimensions
- H x W: 48.3 x 30.5 cm (19 x 12 in.)
- Type
- Textile and Fiber Arts
