Object Details
- Label Text
- Kuba textiles are made of raffia fiber. The foundation cloth is a plain weave, woven by men on an inclined loom. The fibers are softened before weaving by rubbing and, after, by kneading and beating the cloth. The embroidery thread is also raffia, which is dyed before stitching. The embroidery process is done by women. Typically, neither the weft nor the plush is secured with knots.
- This piece of raffia cloth is typical of that made by the Shoowa, a Kuba group that lives south of the Sankuru River. Its style--with an overall balanced pattern, deep plush and even lines--is what the Shoowa make for their own use, and it differs markedly from the style used on pieces made for export to other Kuba groups. This particular cloth appears to have been made by two separate embroiderers of different skill levels.
- Description
- Cut pile embroidered raffia cloth panel, fringed at the ends, with angled bands of geometric patterns in blocks.
- Provenance
- Emil E.O. Gorlia, Belgian Congo, 1905-1927 to before 1977
- Sandford M. Harris, Oak Harbor, Washington, before 1977 to 1999
- 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 Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks.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
- Early 20th century
- Credit Line
- Gift of S. M. Harris
- Medium
- Raffia, dye
- Dimensions
- H x W: 82.6 x 37.5 cm (32 1/2 x 14 3/4 in.)
- Type
- Textile and Fiber Arts
