African Textile Manufacturers Limited, Nigeria Search this
Medium:
Cotton, synthetic dye
Dimensions:
Unverified, likely 18 feet in length
Type:
Textile and Fiber Arts
Geography:
Nigeria
Date:
2016
Description:
Cotton factory printed cloth of an overall blue coloration with red, gold, black, and white decorative accents, dominated by a repeat pattern featuring a large white oval bearing a photographic view (bust view) of Oba Erediauwa, the late Oba of Benin who reigned as king of the Benin Kingdom in Nigeria from 1979 – 2016. An inscription along the outer edge of the oval reads: OMO N’OBA N’EDO UKU AKPOLOKPOLO * OBA EREDIAUWA * 1979 – 2016. The late king is shown wearing glasses and a crown, necklace and tunic (partial view) of coral beads. The cloth’s background of black net-like linear patterns is echoed by larger format white linear motifs bordered by gold circles edged in black and with black centers. These linear patterns frame repeat red oval designs with a heraldic motif outlined in white of a leopard, bird of prey, elephant, and crossed state swords (eben) above the inscription MY GOD, MY RIGHT. Smaller-format repeat patterns of royal regalia – crossed gold-colored stated swords below a red and white crown – further enliven the design of the cloth. The selvage inscription reads GUARANTEED VERITABLE WAX 3684.
Provenance:
Jean M. Borgatti, Shrewsbury, MA; acquired from the gallery at Hexagon, a hotel and restaurant in Benin City that is owned by one of the sons of the late Oba Erediauwa, 2016-2017
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