Kuba Shoowa Prestige Panel

A narrow strip assembled from five or six pattern samples, plus a tan lattice patch.

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. Sections of black and tan zigzag, checker lattice, vertical stripes of diamonds and plaited interlace are sewn along a long, narrow cloth. A pale tan lattice block sits inset near the top. Multiple seams cross the cloth. It measures 22.5 inches wide and 51 long.

A quilt of ideas, sewn in a hurry but with flair.