Courtesy of the Harn Museum of Art, Photography by Foad Seyed Mohammadi

Noblewoman’s Ceremonial Overskirt (Ntshakabwiin)

MakerBushong Kuba Artist

Datelate 19th-early 20th century

(not assigned)Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa

MediumRaffia fiber and natural pigment

Dimensions29 1/2 in. × 5 ft. 8 in. (74.9 × 172.7 cm)

ClassificationsTextiles

Credit LineGift of an anonymous donor

Object number2020.30.2

Collections

AFRICAN

DescriptionRaffia fiber woven cloth, multiple panels hand-sewn selvedges; multi-strand twined and plaited, stem-stitched embroidery, enhanced with openwork and frilled edging; black, brown and blue geometric patterns (border = lo liyoongd’dy or chameleon’s footprint motif—see Joseph Cornet, Art Royal Kuba 1982); signs of wear on plain end panel.