Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kuba, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A lengthy woven cloth panel made from raffia palm leaves with a pompom trim- measuring 30.6 feet (9.3 meters)! This was a ceremonial skirt that was wrapped many times around the wearer! Dozens of individual panels are patchwork sewn together, the long edges have a pom-pom fringe, and amazing borders with a cut-pile texture in orange and black, and embroidery along the width. The patterns are symbolic of an individual's social and marital status, or character, and chieftains often created and wore their own unique patterns as a legacy emblem to mark his reign. The making of such a textile is a laborious team effort: traditionally the cloth is woven by Kuba men on a single heddle loom using raffia-tree leaves and hand-dyed using mud, indigo, or the powdered bark of the camwood tree. Next, they are embroidered by women and children, and cut for the pile texture. Size: 368" L x 33" W (934.7 cm x 83.8 cm)

Provenance: private San Francisco, California, USA collection, acquired 1970s to 2000s

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#174179

Staining, fading, and discoloration throughout. Tearing to seams between panels. Fraying and losses to fibers and perforations in areas, but majority is intact and good condition. Losses and fraying to the pom poms, but most are intact. Please note the massive size of this piece!