Ceremonial ensemble

late 19th century

Not on view

Raffia fiber, harvested from the palm leaf, is used in almost all Kuba textiles and is a powerful emblem of security and continuity, symbolizing the bond of the living to each other as well as to the deceased. The intricately pieced checkerboard pattern and large size of this skirt reveal the prominent social status of the wearer.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

Title: Ceremonial ensemble
Artist: Kuba artist (s)
Date: late 19th century
Geography: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Culture: Kuba peoples
Medium: Cotton, shells, leather
Dimensions: Various dimensions
Classification: Textiles-Costumes
Credit Line: Purchase, Janet A. Sloane Gift Fund, 1994
Object Number: 1994.413.1a–k
Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing

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In the same medium

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Double Prestige Panel, Kuba artist, Raffia palm fiber, vegetable dye, Kuba peoples — Double Prestige Panel
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Nkisi (power figure), Kongo artist and nganga (ritual specialist), Wood, pigment, resin, iron, brass, tin, cloth, plant fiber cord, beads, cowrie shells, bone or ivory, arrows, leather, seeds, animal horn, Kongo peoples — Nkisi (power figure)
Kongo artist and nganga (ritual specialist)
19th–first half of 20th century

Ensemble, Dagomba artist, Leather, fur, horn, shell, glass, wool, cotton, Dagomba peoples — Ensemble
Dagomba artist
20th century

Ncák (women's ceremonial skirt), Kuba artist, Raffia palm fiber, dye, Kuba peoples — Ncák (women's ceremonial skirt)
Kuba artist
first half of 20th century

Side-blown Trumpet, Ivory, Mangbetu — Side-blown Trumpet
Mangbetu
19th century

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