Kuba Shoowa Prestige Panel

Octagons, nested black outlines, and a checkerboard rhythm.

This Shoowa panel was embroidered by the Kuba peoples of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the 20th century. Men wove the raffia ground; women worked the designs in fine stitching and cut pile, and panels like it served as wealth, gifts and ceremonial display.

A dense lattice of octagonal medallions, each in nested black outlines, alternates with small diamonds built from black squares. The cream field has mellowed in places, and a woven tan border frames it. About two feet square.

A small textile with a large vocabulary.