Kuba Tcaka or Dance Skirt

Fine ink-like lines, tiny branches and diamond signs ramble across a soft yellow ground.

This tcaka or dance skirt is Kuba, from Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa, and dates to the 20th century. It is embroidered raffia. Abstract geometric designs on the cloth act as a visual language valued across Kuba society, and some say it grew from scarification patterns, crop patterns or even divine intervention. Long pale-yellow textile with delicate dark lines. Dense grids and cross-hatching run across the top, and open spaces below hold sparse branching marks, diamonds and small motifs. Gentle creases and ripples show along the sides. It is 34 inches wide and 146 long.

Careful drawing, plenty of white space, and not a blot in sight.