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African tribal artifacts.

AGT066 African Kuba Shoowa embroidered raffia panel 19" high x 17 1/2" wide

$990.00

African Kuba embroidered raffia shoowa panel. Sewn to a fabric panel and framed for display. Age ca1980s. Acquired 1988 from Douglas Dawson Gallery, Chicago, IL. (Provenance in hand) Maker once known.

Traditionally, Kuba cloth is woven from hammered strands of palm leaf, which are softened to pliability. This work is done by men. When the base textile has been completed, it is turned over to tribal women to embroider using cut-pile technique.

The Shoowa panels that result are works of remarkable graphic impact, mastering repetitive design with elements of irregularity that often have symbolic meanings but always assault the eye with their complexity.

Doug Dawson, the source for this Shoowa panel, has been a Chicago institution of ethnic authenticity and artistic excellence for decades.
19" high x 17 1/2" wide #AGT066

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Additional Info

Kuba “Shoowa” embroidered cloth has many uses. It is an art of domestic expression, not unlike the way needlework provides a demonstration of domestic skills in Western cultures. It also functions as a form of currency in African barter economies. It also has been used in African decor and apparel. Shoowa embroidery is not a lost art. It is still done in Kuba communities, although the number of practitioners is decreasing. That’s one of the reasons for its value as an artform and in trade. The best of it is visually stimulating and powerfully attractive. Of course, as with any artistic endeavor, there are embroiderers of great skill and those who are still struggling to turn their activities to a level of excellence that commands great respect and economic advantage. This example is among the best and, given its age, is on its way to being antique.