Woman’s Ceremonial or Dance Skirt

20th century

Not on view

Cloths produced by Kuba artists are among a series of related central African textile traditions in which works are produced on a bark or raffia fiber structure. The production of central African textiles draws upon both male and female creativity: men act as weavers of cloths which women embroider and paint. Artists elaborate their patterns from memory. While abstract, patterns and design motifs may be given an evocative name whose meaning is significant to the wearer. Among the Kuba and related peoples, textiles are multifaceted objects of use and meaning. They are worn or displayed on ceremonial occasions as emblems of prestige, wealth and status. In the past, they were sometimes used as a form of currency. This series includes textiles that combine bold and imaginative approaches to design and refined mastery of technique.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Title: Woman’s Ceremonial or Dance Skirt
Date: 20th century
Geography: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kasai
Culture: Kuba peoples, Bushoong group
Medium: Raffia palm fiber, embroidery, piecing, natural fibers, natural dyes
Dimensions: H. 23 1/2 in. × W. 12 ft. 10 in. (59.7 × 391.2 cm)
Classification: Textiles
Credit Line: Gift of David Bernstein, in honor of Tess Elizabeth Bernstein, 2017
Object Number: 2017.683.10
Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing

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