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Boubou Tilbi

19th–early 20th century

Not on view

The voluminous tilbi is a study in contrasting whites, with undyed natural, creamy silk embroidery applied to white cotton. The garment’s embroidered passages are original interpretations of classic motifs identified by name as nosi (spiral), bata (circles), barma kore (cross with leaf patterns), and kofe banda sikka (cross with variations on the lozenge motif). Lavish elaboration on the back reflects the fact that the garment’s full glory was on display when its wearer was in an attitude of prayer.

Boubou Tilbi, Cotton, silk — This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Boubou Tilbi, Cotton, silk

Boubou Tilbi, Cotton, silk

Boubou Tilbi, Cotton, silk

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Nationaal Museum van Wereldculturen

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Nationaal Museum van Wereldculturen

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Nationaal Museum van Wereldculturen

Title: Boubou Tilbi

Date: 19th–early 20th century

Geography: Mali, Jenne

Medium: Cotton, silk

Dimensions: W. 34 × D. 10 × L. 54 in. (86.4 × 25.4 × 137.2 cm)

Classification: Textiles

Credit Line: Collection Nationaal Museum van Wereldculturen, Netherlands

The Met

The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing at The Met

The Met's collection of art of the peoples of sub-Saharan Africa, the Pacific Islands, and North, Central, and South America comprises more than eleven thousand works of art of varied materials and types, representing diverse cultural traditions from as early as 3000 B.C.E. to the present.