Mud cloth c. 20th century

This 20th-century mud cloth, a traditional textile from Mali, features a striking pattern of horizontal bands in alternating shades of brown and white. The cloth was likely created using a resist dyeing technique, where mud is applied to the fabric to prevent the dye from penetrating those areas. The result is a visually captivating and intricate design that showcases the artistry of anonymous Malian craftspeople, a piece currently housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.