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     African Textiles
         
          from the collection of Marla Mallett

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A variety of superb African textile art is represented here, with an emphasis on the fascinating Kuba raffia cloth appliqués and embroideries of the Congo.  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.  







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










Luena warriors, Angola, with raffia wrap-around skirts. Circa 1900.  Archive: Linden-Museum, Stuttgart


Kente Cloth
Ashanti People, Ghana
7'10"x 11'
Silk and cotton
W-9550


Tunic
Kuba.  The Congo
59"x 27"
Cowrie shells and feathers
on cotton;  raffia trim
W-1389

N'gongo Skirt
Kuba.  The Congo
25"x 174" (14'6")
Raffia appliqué
W-9531


Lega Bwami Ceremonial Hat
The Congo
7"x 10"
Vegetable fiber with shells, seed pods,
buttons and hornbill
W-8729


N'Denguesse Waist Wrap
Kuba. The Congo
25½"x 72½."
Raffia embroidery
W-8485

Bambara Hunter's Ceremonial 
Costume
Mali.
63"x 42"plus fringe
Cotton, leather amulets and fringes, 
cowrie shells
W-5896

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


Wedding Basket
Ethiopia
11½"x 6½"
Coiled raffia, covered with leather
W-9494

Shoowa Waist Wrap
Kuba. The Congo
21"x 47½"
Raffia cut pile embroidery
W-5272


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
25"x 14'4"
Raffia appliqué
W-8605


Boutala Waist Wrap
Kuba. The Congo
23"x 47"
Raffia cut pile embroidery
W-7706


Kirdi Beaded Cache-Sexe
 Cameroon
20"x 7½"
Glass beads and cowrie shells
 A-2520


Lega Bwami Ceremonial Hat
The Congo
6½"x 7"
Vegetable fiber, with pangolin scales,
buttons and elephant hair
W-8728


Boutala Waist Wrap
 Kuba. The Congo
16"x 83"
Raffia cut-pile embroidery
W-5082


Nagongo Skirt
Kuba.  The Congo
29"x 95"
Raffia appliqué
W-9330


Ndengese Raffia Skirt
Kuba.  The Congo
23"x 121" (10'1")
Raffia flat stitching
W-9490


Crocheted Hat
Cameroon
6½"x 6"
Crocheted cotton with wrapped, 
protruding ornaments
W-4559


Boutala Waist Wrap
 Kuba.  The Congo
24"x 48"
Raffia cut pile and flat embroidery
W-8724


Warriors from the Congo, 17th century, wearing patterned raffia waist wraps.  From Joanne Antonio Cavazzi, Historische Beschreibung Der In dern untern Occidentalischen Mohrenland liegenden drey Konigreichen/Congo, Matamba und Angola, und Der jenigen Apostolischen Missionen. Munich, 1694. 
  Recommended books: African Textiles
  Go to our HOME Page for more textiles


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1690 Johnson Road NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30306   USA

E-mail:  marlam@mindspring.com
Phone:  404-872-3356