**First Time At Auction**

Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lele / Kuba or Bunda people, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A pair of cloth bundles hand-woven from raffia palm fronds for use as currency and trade. Each bundle is comprised of separate woven strips of various widths, with braided tassel ends. Each piece is rolled up and joined to other rolls as a portable group. Undyed cloth strips and bundles became an important form of trade and used like currency because they were lightweight, durable, essential for clothing, and the rolls were easily divisible - the strip lengths were often standardized by merchants based on the standard length needed to make a woman's skirt cloth. Size: 39" L x 7" W (99.1 cm x 17.8 cm)

Provenance: private J.H. collection, Beaverton, Oregon, USA; ex-private Belgian collection

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#154752

Dark stains and discoloration to both bundles. Substantial tear to one strip on larger bundle, but most rolled strips are in good condition with minor fraying.