Kuba Shoowa Prestige Panel

Five vertical strips, each its own little pattern, like quilted columns.

This Shoowa prestige panel is Kuba, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa, and dates to the 20th century. It is piled raffia. Cut-pile raffia of this kind is usually attributed to the Shoowa, a Kuba people of the Kasai region, and was traditionally made by women. Tan and brown ground is divided into vertical bands. Black lozenges and crosses fill the center strips, and narrower side columns carry hourglass shapes and small crosses. Seams between the strips are plain to see, and the tone is soft and slightly worn. The panel is 21.5 inches wide by 24 long.

Five opinions, sewn together without any shouting.