Kuba Shoowa Prestige Panel

A black plaited band across the middle, between acres of golden herringbone.

This Shoowa prestige panel is Kuba, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa, and dates to the 20th century. It is piled raffia. The pile on a Shoowa cloth is cut raffia, sheared to an even nap that collectors often call Kasai velvet. A tan ground filled with fine black chevron lines runs across the upper and lower thirds. A single broad band of black and tan interlace crosses the center. The tone is warm and gold, with narrow edges. It measures 21 inches wide and 25 long.

Herringbone fields and one very fancy braid in the middle.