Kuba Shoowa Prestige Panel

A central column of diamonds, flanked by fine zigzags on both sides.

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. Down the middle of a pale tan cloth runs a vertical strip of black and rust diamonds. Delicate chevron and zigzag lines fill the broad panels on each side. Symmetry around that axis is strong, and the hem is plain with a slight tear. It is 19.5 inches across and 21.5 long.

Calm stripes on the flanks, and a spine of diamonds.