Kuba Shoowa Prestige Panel

Plush black pile with a coral lattice on one side and cream dots on the other.

This Shoowa prestige panel is Kuba, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa, and dates to the 20th century. It is piled raffia. Kuba cloth begins with the fibers of the raffia palm, and the embroidery that covers it is slow, patient work. Small and wide, in black and orange-tan. The left half shows a crossing coral lattice over black, while the right half switches to rows of pale, rounded dots. The pile looks deep and velvety, and a reddish border frames the edge. It measures 17.5 inches wide and 21 long.

Two halves, one velvet mood, and a nice sense of contrast.