Congolese Wood Woven Mat

Bent hearts, row after row. Plant fiber rarely gets so geometric about its feelings.

This woven mat comes from the Republic of Congo, Central Africa, 20th century, made of plant fiber woven over bamboo. Across Central Africa, woven mats served for sleeping and sitting, for dividing rooms and for welcoming guests, and the patterned ones showed off a weaver's skill. Interlocking chevrons in olive and tan step across the surface in tidy rows, each one nearly closing into a heart. Fine ribs of bamboo run through it, and small dark marks show near the lower edge. More than four feet wide and over six long.

Everyday objects used to go to a lot more trouble.