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Catalog Data

Maker:
Mende artist  Search this
Medium:
Cotton, indigo dye
Dimensions:
H x W: 144.8 x 129.5 cm (57 x 51 in.)
Type:
Textile and Fiber Arts
Geography:
Sierra Leone
Date:
Early to mid-20th century
Label Text:
This type of cloth was commonly used in trade in Sierra Leone and Liberia. Although collected in Sefadu, Sierra Leone, it may have been woven inland in Guinea. Because of their durability, ease of storage and desirability, such cloths were prestige items among the Mende and were often used as currency. Judging from its size, this cloth probably was used as a woman's wrapper.
Description:
Ten strips of handsewn cotton plain weave with cotton supplementary weft, white and indigo blue.
Provenance:
Mr. and Mrs. Wilmarth, collected Sefadu, Sierra Leone, 1934
Venice and Alastair Lamb, England, -- to 1983
Exhibition History:
Patterns of Life: West African Strip-Weaving Traditions, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., September 28, 1987-February 29, 1988
Published References:
Gilfoy, Peggy. 1987. Patterns of Life: West African Strip Weaving Traditions. Washington, D.C.: National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, p. 51, no. 2.
Lamb, Venice and Alastair. 1984. Sierra Leone Weaving. Hertingfordbury, England: Roxford Books, p. 114, no. 121.
Content Statement:
As part of our commitment to accessibility and transparency, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art is placing its collection records online. Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks. If you see content requiring immediate action, we will do our best to address it in a timely manner. Please email nmafacuratorial@si.edu if you have any questions.
Image Requests:
High resolution digital images are not available for some objects. For publication quality photography and permissions, please contact the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at https://africa.si.edu/research/eliot-elisofon-photographic-archives/
Topic:
Status  Search this
Adornment  Search this
Female use  Search this
male  Search this
Trade  Search this
Credit Line:
National Museum of African Art, National Museum of Natural History, purchased with funds provided by the Smithsonian Collections Acquisition Program, 1983-85, EJ10391
Object number:
EJ10391
Restrictions & Rights:
Usage conditions apply
See more items in:
National Museum of African Art Collection
Data Source:
National Museum of African Art
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ys7c3e4ceca-7a60-43e8-ad44-8664f77a6a47
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmafa_EJ10391