Kuba Shoowa Prestige Panel

Diagonal, angular, and never once straight with you.

This Shoowa panel was embroidered by the Kuba peoples of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the 20th century. Worked on raffia cloth in embroidery and cut pile, panels like it were valued as prestige goods and gifts and were often brought out on ceremonial occasions.

It measures eighteen by twenty-five and a half inches and is covered with a bold diagonal maze of interlocking angular bands, outlined in fine parallel stitching in dark plum and cream. Small black and cream checkered squares punctuate the turns. A reddish-tan woven border frames the whole.

Get lost in it. Politely.