Panel, 20th century
Kubaexpand_more
Raffia; cut pile embroideryexpand_more
The William Hood Dunwoody Fund and The Putnam Dana McMillan Fundexpand_more 99.2.18
Not on Viewexpand_more
Cut pile embroidery is produced by several ethnic groups within the Kuba culture, including Bushoong, Shoowa, Ndengese, Ngongo and Ngombe. The different styles are distinguished by characteristics such as the color of the ground cloth, the use of a flat stem stitch and the way in which the cut-pile is used to build up pattern areas. The designs are geometric and rectilinear, utilizing variations of chevrons, squares, triangles, diamonds, interlaced knots and L-shaped motifs. The motifs are symbolic and refer to Kuba creation myths, historical events or ordinary objects such as hoes, tortoises, or shields.
Panels such as these are produced primarily for display during funeral rituals and are subsequently used as burial goods. Offered as gifts to the deceased by their clan and by individuals from the village, cut pile embroideries are important symbols of wealth and prestige that reflect not only on the individual, but also on the entire clan.
Details
- Title
- Panel
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 99.2.18
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
Does something look wrong with this image? Let us know
Zoom in on the left to the detail you'd like to save. Click 'Save detail' and wait until the image updates. Right click the image to 'save image as' or copy link, or click the image to open in a new tab.