Part of: Pam and Netti (9 resources )
Floral Prints and Objects
9 Items in this Learning Collection
Collection Object
Collection Object
Collection Object
Collection Object
Collection Object
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Raffia Textile Panel
Accession Number
1985/2.43
Title
Raffia Textile Panel
Artist(s)
Kuba
Artist Nationality
Kuba (Democratic Republic of Congo style)
Object Creation Date
circa 1940
Medium & Support
raffia palm fiber
Dimensions
36 1/2 in x 27 1/8 in (92.71 cm x 68.9 cm);2 3/16 in x 26 in x 14 15/16 in (5.56 cm x 66.04 cm x 37.94 cm)
Credit Line
Museum purchase
Subject matter
The Kuba peoples are renowned for their elaborate, geometrical surface designs, such as applied to this cloth. Kuba cloth is often made from barkcloth: a felt fabric, typically not associated with being a textile because it is not woven. This particular cloth consists of the applique technique of adding patches of fabric to hide holes produced by pounding the panel to soften it. The finished textile may be placed in a mortar with cold water and beaten with a smooth, ivory pestle.
In the 19th century, decorated raffia cloth was used as a marker of prestige, as currency, to pay tribute, settle legal disputes, and in public displays such as the funerals of high-ranking titleholders. Additionally, they were often used as initiation objects during ceremonial rites of passage. Though barkcloth is the typical fabric, more recently industrial cloth has been used as a replacement.
References:
Monni Adams, Kuba Embroidered Cloth, African Arts, 1978
Daniel Biebuyck, The Arts of Zaire, 1985
Georges Meurant, African Textiles from the Kingdom of Kuba, 1986
Roy Sieber, African Textiles and Decorative Arts, 1972
Physical Description
Tan rectangular panel consisting of various tan rectilinear shapes that are outlined with thin double black stitching appliqued onto the panel.
Primary Object Classification
Textile
Primary Object Type
fiber art
Collection Area
African
Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form. Keywords
embroidery (visual works)
geometric patterns
prestige
textile art (visual works)
textile components
1985/2.43
Title
Raffia Textile Panel
Artist(s)
Kuba
Artist Nationality
Kuba (Democratic Republic of Congo style)
Object Creation Date
circa 1940
Medium & Support
raffia palm fiber
Dimensions
36 1/2 in x 27 1/8 in (92.71 cm x 68.9 cm);2 3/16 in x 26 in x 14 15/16 in (5.56 cm x 66.04 cm x 37.94 cm)
Credit Line
Museum purchase
Subject matter
The Kuba peoples are renowned for their elaborate, geometrical surface designs, such as applied to this cloth. Kuba cloth is often made from barkcloth: a felt fabric, typically not associated with being a textile because it is not woven. This particular cloth consists of the applique technique of adding patches of fabric to hide holes produced by pounding the panel to soften it. The finished textile may be placed in a mortar with cold water and beaten with a smooth, ivory pestle.
In the 19th century, decorated raffia cloth was used as a marker of prestige, as currency, to pay tribute, settle legal disputes, and in public displays such as the funerals of high-ranking titleholders. Additionally, they were often used as initiation objects during ceremonial rites of passage. Though barkcloth is the typical fabric, more recently industrial cloth has been used as a replacement.
References:
Monni Adams, Kuba Embroidered Cloth, African Arts, 1978
Daniel Biebuyck, The Arts of Zaire, 1985
Georges Meurant, African Textiles from the Kingdom of Kuba, 1986
Roy Sieber, African Textiles and Decorative Arts, 1972
Physical Description
Tan rectangular panel consisting of various tan rectilinear shapes that are outlined with thin double black stitching appliqued onto the panel.
Primary Object Classification
Textile
Primary Object Type
fiber art
Collection Area
African
Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form. Keywords
embroidery (visual works)
geometric patterns
prestige
textile art (visual works)
textile components
