Object Details
- Label Text
- The Kuba peoples who inhabit the Kasai-Sankuru River region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are well known for their woven raffia cloths with either embroidered or appliquéd geometric designs. The Kuba also weave mats with geometric designs that they use for sitting, sleeping or as burial cloths. The mats are also used as a type of movable architecture to define spaces for special events such as royal visits.
- This mat has the typical colors and geometric designs created by weaving on a foundation of slats made from the split ribs of palm fronds and joined by wrapping weft strings around the slats. The purple designs on one edge of the mat were possibly created using a dye made from mimeograph stencils.
- Description
- Woven mat with geometric patterns repeated at intervals over the entire surface of the mat.
- Provenance
- Timothy Hauser, acquired Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, -- to 1983
- Exhibition History
- Shoowa Design: Raffia Textiles from Zaire, University of Michigan Museum of Art, Ann Arbor, June 15-August 7, 1988
- 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 Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks.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
- Late 20th century
- Credit Line
- Gift of Timothy P. Hauser
- Medium
- Raffia, bamboo, plant fiber, dye
- Dimensions
- H x W: 274.3 x 365.8 cm (108 x 144 in.)
- Type
- Textile and Fiber Arts
