Dogon Woman's Wrap / Skirt

Crisp white lines race across deep blue, with a tiny hole near the lower left.

This woman's wrap or skirt of woven cotton and indigo is Dogon, from Mali, West Africa, and dates to the 20th century. Wraps and skirts are common everyday and ceremonial clothing in West Africa, and the colour and pattern of cloth often signals the wearer's community or occasion. Upright and tall rectangular cloth with alternating narrow white and navy stripes and a few wider bands. A small mended hole sits near the lower left and the surface has gentle ripples. The color is clean and high contrast. It is 41 inches wide and 61 long.

Sharp stripes and one tiny, forgiven flaw.