Kuba Shoowa Prestige Panel

A black diamond lattice, framed in pink and fringed on all 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. Black, slightly bulging diamonds are held in a clean tan lattice across the whole field, bordered by a pink-tan hem and a wide rosy fringe on every edge. The diamonds are medium size and the pattern is steady and legible. It is 22.5 inches across and 24 long.

Uncomplicated, a little shaggy, and secretly very well mannered.