Kuba Shoowa Dance Skirt

Rust-red, cream, and a pattern you only catch when the light goes sideways.

A Shoowa dance skirt, made by the Kuba of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the 20th century. Raffia skirts were wrapped around the body for dances and ceremonies, and their embroidered patterns signaled the taste and standing of the wearer.

Fifty inches long, with a deep rust-red central field embroidered tone on tone, interlocking angular and diamond motifs emerging in raking light. The cream border carries a chain of black-outlined hexagons, each enclosing a smaller diamond. Light wear and soft creasing show its age.

Hang it by a window. Wait for four o’clock.