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Woman's ceremonial skirt (ntchak)
African (Kuba peoples, Bushoong subgroup)
1850–80
Object Place: Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
Medium/Technique
Appliquéd raffia; plain weave embroidered with raffia and appliquéd with cotton trade cloth
Dimensions
87.6 x 645 cm (34 1/2 x 253 15/16 in.)
Credit Line
Helen and Alice Colburn Fund
Accession Number1995.89
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAfrica and Oceania, Fashion and Textiles
ClassificationsCostumes
DescriptionRaffia, cotton; appliqué, embroidery, plain weave. Panels of undyed raffia plain weave joined to form a skirt. Appliquéd with self fabric embroidered with dark brown raffia. Limited number of additional appliqués of European cotton trade cloth predominantly blue in color. The abstract appliqués pattern the entire body of the skirt. Bordered on three sides with light blue and white striped trade cloth. Similar example in British Museum.