African Textiles - 1
         
          from the collection of Marla Mallett

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A variety of superb African textile art is represented here, with a emphasis on the fascinating Kuba raffia cloth appliqués and embroideries of the Congo.  Sizes range from the small geometric "Kasai velvets" to  eighteen foot long raffia dance skirts. 

The length and width of raffia weavings was limited by the length of the raffia fibers.  Thus raffia pieces were made as small mats; two or more of these were sewed together to make longer pieces. 

To see textile art from other parts of the world, go to our HOME page.

NOTE:  Click on the title or inventory numbers below for full views and large details of each textile.   

An Ashanti chief at Kumasi in his full regalia.  Venice Lamb, West African Weaving, London, 1975.  




Left:  Raffia costumes from Loango.  From Olfert Dapper, 
Description de l'Afrique,  Amsterdam, 1668.


Ngongo Skirt
Kuba.  The Congo
25½"x 13'4"
Raffia patchwork and tie-dye
W-9231


Lega Bwami Ceremonial Hat
The Congo
6½"x 9½"
Plant fibers, buttons, hornbill and fur
W-8727


Boutala Waist Wrap
Kuba.  The Congo
22½"x 48½"
Raffia cut pile and flat embroidery
W-8715



Kuba raffia pile embroidered mats

A selection of smaller cut-pile cloths from the Congo. Also small embroidered waist wraps.

Kuba Belt
The Congo
5"x 75"
Cowrie shells and beading
W-3056


Boutala Waist Wrap
Kuba.  The Congo
20"x 52½"
Raffia cut pile and flat embroidery
W-8718


Boutala Waist Wrap
Kuba.  The Congo
22"x 86½"
Raffia embroidery with cut pile
W-8708

N'gongo Waist Wrap
Kuba.  The Congo
24"x 57"
Raffia fringe and tassel appliques;
Raffia patchwork
W-9287


Lega Bwami Ceremonial Hat
Kuba. The Congo
7"x 6½"
Vegetable fibers, pangolin scales,
buttons and elephant hair
W-8726


Shoowa Waist Wrap
Kuba. The Congo
24"x 45½"
Raffia cut-pile embroidery
W-7563


M'bute Pygmy Bark Cloth Paintings
A selection of paintings from the Ituri Rain Forest of the Congo


Yoruba Hat
Nigeria
7½"x 8"
Cotton fabrics and cowry shells
W-8540


Nagongo Skirt
Kuba. The Congo
37"x 18'
Raffia appliqué, with tie-dye
W-8090


Nagongo Waist Wrap
Kuba. The Congo
21"x 45"
Raffia cut pile and flat stitching
W-7615


Boutala Waist Wrap
Kuba.  The Congo
25"x 54½"
Raffia cut-pile embroidery
W-8711


N'denguesse Raffia Skirt
Kuba.  The Congo
21"x 14'8"
Raffia with tie-dye decoration
W-9331





Ashanti Court in 1820, illustrated by Dupuis, the British envoy in Kumasi, Ghana. 

Continue:

African Textiles - 2
  African Textiles - 3
 

Small Kuba Raffia Pile Mats
  Recommended books: African Textiles
   
  Go to our HOME Page for more textiles


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How to Order 		MARLA MALLETT
1690 Johnson Road NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30306   USA

E-mail:  marlam@mindspring.com
Phone:  404-872-3356
           or Toll-Free:  877-542-0841