Kuba (or Bakuba), Dem. Rep. of Congo: a piece of so-called ‘shoowa velvet’ or ‘Kuba velvet’.
Kuba (or Bakuba), Dem. Rep. of Congo: a piece of so-called ‘shoowa velvet’ or ‘Kuba velvet’.
A rectangular piece of ‘shoowa velvet’ with heavy, geometric patterns in different brown tones. The basic fabric of light brown fibres from the raffia palm is woven by men. Women embroider this fabric with dyed threads and cut off the thread loops which stand out from the outer surface, thus creating its ‘velvety’ effect. The women of the sub-group of the Shoowa were famous for their velvet pieces. This is why they are called ‘Shoowa velvets’.
These textiles were used as floor coverings in the royal and princely courts of the Kuba. For rulers were not allowed to come into contact with the bare floor. ‘Shoowa velvets’ served as valuable objects for payments of bride price, in exchange trading, and they accompanied important, wealthy men to the grave.
Dimensions: 76 cm x c. 70 cm. First half of the 20th century. (ME)
Provenance: Austrian private collection.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
06.04.2017 - 15:00
- Realized price: **
-
EUR 225.-
- Starting bid:
-
EUR 120.-
Kuba (or Bakuba), Dem. Rep. of Congo: a piece of so-called ‘shoowa velvet’ or ‘Kuba velvet’.
A rectangular piece of ‘shoowa velvet’ with heavy, geometric patterns in different brown tones. The basic fabric of light brown fibres from the raffia palm is woven by men. Women embroider this fabric with dyed threads and cut off the thread loops which stand out from the outer surface, thus creating its ‘velvety’ effect. The women of the sub-group of the Shoowa were famous for their velvet pieces. This is why they are called ‘Shoowa velvets’.
These textiles were used as floor coverings in the royal and princely courts of the Kuba. For rulers were not allowed to come into contact with the bare floor. ‘Shoowa velvets’ served as valuable objects for payments of bride price, in exchange trading, and they accompanied important, wealthy men to the grave.
Dimensions: 76 cm x c. 70 cm. First half of the 20th century. (ME)
Provenance: Austrian private collection.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
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| Auction: | Tribal Art |
| Auction type: | Saleroom auction |
| Date: | 06.04.2017 - 15:00 |
| Location: | Vienna | Palais Dorotheum |
| Exhibition: | 01.04. - 06.04.2017 |
** Purchase price incl. buyer's premium and VAT
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