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Prestige panel

early–mid-20th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 345
This intricate geometric compositions was the products of a multistage, labor-intensive process involving various contributors. The cultivation of raffia palms, the harvesting and processing of its leaves into silky fiber, and its subsequent weaving into mbala (unadorned rectangular textile panels) are undertaken by men. Women then elaborate on those canvases with embroidery. To create the plush pile, the artist loosely loops a thread between the front and back of the textile. The ends are then cut and rubbed, creating a texture reminiscent of velvet. The designs draw on a vast repertoire of interlocking geometric forms. Each motif has a name and meaning whose interpretation varies depending on the artist and client.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Prestige panel
  • Artist: Dengese artist
  • Date: early–mid-20th century
  • Geography: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sankuru River region
  • Culture: Dengese peoples
  • Medium: Raffia palm fiber, dye
  • Dimensions: W. 26 × L. 22 in. (66 × 55.9 cm)
  • Classification: Textiles-Woven
  • Credit Line: Gift of William B. Goldstein, 1999
  • Object Number: 1999.522.8
  • Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing

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