Ewe Strip-Woven Cloth

A burgundy border keeps the little gold squares in line.

Ewe weavers of Ghana, West Africa, made this strip-woven cloth in cotton in the 20th century. Ewe cloth is made of narrow woven bands sewn together, and such textiles are commonly worn or displayed as marks of occasion and care. Here a wine-dark ground frames a central field of checks in mustard, olive, salmon and pale pink. Single yellow squares trace the border like stitches of light. The surface is soft, with a slight sheen in the darker areas.

About 65 by 103 inches. Rich enough to make a leather chair look underdressed.