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Woman's ceremonial skirt (ntchak)
African (Kuba Kingdom, Bushoong subgroup)
First half 20th century
Object Place: Democratic Republic of Congo
Medium/Technique
Raffia plain weave, embroidered with pulled and drawn work
Dimensions
68.7 x 151 cm (27 1/16 x 59 7/16 in.)
Credit Line
Benjamin and Lucy Rowland Fund
Accession Number1995.91
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAfrica and Oceania, Fashion and Textiles
ClassificationsCostumes
DescriptionCentral panel of brown-dyed raffia cloth patterned with drawn-thread openwork embroidery. Rare design type consisting of large squares alternating with positive and negative renderings of the same pattern achieved by varying the spacing of the openwork embroidery. Skirt is bordered on three sides with bands of cut-pile embroidery. Outer edging of bundled reeds produces wavy, serpentine contour. Worn by royal women.
ProvenanceDavid Lanz; purchased by the MFA, 24 May 1995