Kuba Shoowa Prestige Panel

Black triangles point down through a cream lattice in calm, orderly ranks.

This Shoowa prestige panel is Kuba, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa, and dates to the 20th century. It is piled raffia. Shoowa embroiderers generally work in geometric designs, and the patterns are often said to be composed as the stitching goes. Big black triangles with toothed tops sit within diamond cells of a pale cream lattice. A thin tan hem surrounds, with a few small edge ripples. It is 19.5 inches across and 21 long.

Triangles standing to attention with surprising calm.