Panel c. 20th century

panel, textile

natural stone pattern

naturalistic pattern

panel

textile

geometric pattern

organic pattern

repetition of pattern

vertical pattern

wooden texture

pattern repetition

layered pattern

organic texture

This Kuba "Panel" is a striking example of the intricate textile artistry of the Kuba people of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The panel features a complex geometric pattern, with intricate designs woven in a variety of shades of brown. The repetitive nature of the pattern, known as "kuba cloth", showcases the Kuba people's mastery of weaving techniques and the significance of geometric designs in their culture. This panel is housed in the Minneapolis Institute of Art.

Comments

minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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Finely crafted cut pile embroideries are objects of great prestige in Kuba society. Although men and women contribute equally to the production of raffia textiles, this particular form of surface ornamentation is worked only by women. The finest cut pile embroideries, as in this example, combine a flat stem stitch with a tufted plush stitch, resulting in a distinct texture that enhances the overall design of the piece. Patterns used for Kuba embroidery are drawn from over 200 traditional motifs that are also used for woodcarving, basketry, and ceramics. Kuba artists rarely replicate designs exactly, but rather use them as a basis for improvisational experimentation.