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Provenance: Acquired directly in Zaire (now Democratic Republic of the Congo) in the early 1970s by the seller's family while living in the region. Retained in a private family collection since.
Kasaï velvet (velours du Kasaï) is a kind of textile made in the Kasai province (Democratic Republic of the Congo). Traditionally, the weaving is done by men of the Shoowa from the Kuba ethnic group, while the embroidery is reserved to women. Ideally, the embroiderers should be pregnant. The technique is still practiced. It requires a highly skilled artisan and it’s a very time consuming process. The mats were used as currency as well as tribal offerings.
In post – Renaissance Europe, Africa’s Kuba and Shoowa Cloth as well as Antique Brodee, the embroidered and appliqué decorated raffia cloth from the Congo (formerly Zaire), entered the curio cabinets and treasuries of nobles and kings as the finest representation of African art.
More recently, the mastery of Kuba cloths’ abstract patterning was a source of inspiration to artists such as Matisse, who displayed part of his large collection on the wall of his studio.
DESCRIPTION:
Up for sale is a set of 4 vintage Shoowa (Kuba) hand-woven raffia cut-pile "velvet" textiles, originating from Zaire (now Democratic Republic of the Congo) and dating back to the 1970s.
Known for their complex geometric patterns and plush texture (often referred to as Kasai Velvet), these mats feature traditional hand-worked geometric designs using natural earth-toned dyed raffia fibers.
DIMENSIONS (BODY OF TEXTILE, EXCLUDING FRINGE):
- Mat 1: 26" W x 28" H
- Mat 2: 26" W x 26" H
- Mat 3: 26" W x 25" H
- Mat 4: 24" W x 29" H
(Note: Measurements are taken from the inner woven body. The outer raffia fringe extends beyond these measurements).
CONDITION & DETAILS:
- Overall Condition: Great vintage condition overall. Clean, intact, and well-preserved for their age with good structural integrity and strong color contrast.
- Fringe Note: The outer fringe varies across the set—some mats have fuller fringe while others show minor wear/fraying along the edges, typical for hand-woven raffia of this age. Please see photos for detailed edge condition on each piece.
- Craftsmanship: Hand-woven raffia base with cut-pile geometric embroidery in black, dark brown, cream, tan, and warm ochre tones.
SHIPPING & TERMS:
Due to the value of this set, shipping includes full insurance, secure protective packaging, and required Signature Confirmation upon delivery per policy. Packages will only be released with an adult signature.
