Kuba Shoowa Prestige Panel

Black and brown diamonds in a white-lined lattice, like stained glass done in mud.

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. Slender cream lines form a lattice around black and brown lozenges in a regular all-over layout. A tan hem frames the edges. It measures 20.5 inches wide and 22.5 long.

Neat diamonds, rich earth tones, and a fairly sure hand.