Kuba Shoowa Prestige Panel

Two textiles in one, joined at the center, one woven like a basket and the other like a maze.

This Shoowa prestige panel is Kuba, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa, and dates to the 20th century, in woven raffia. Shoowa textiles are made by Kuba weavers from raffia palm fiber, and are often admired for geometric designs that are rarely repeated exactly. The left half is a diagonal lattice of interlaced bands in dark brown and cream, with orange accents. The right half is made of nested diamonds and angular loops, which spread across the panel in concentric lines. Rough edges and uneven wear give it a worn softness. It is 19.5 inches wide and 41.5 long.

Geometry, without a ruler and without apology.