Kuba Shoowa Prestige Panel

Men wove the ground. Women embroidered it, drawing in thread and cutting it short until the surface turned plush.

That was the Kuba way, and this Shoowa prestige panel is a good example of it: raffia, Democratic Republic of Congo, 20th century. Such panels were valued as wealth and given at important ceremonies.

A diagonal lattice of fine triple lines crosses the field. In each opening, a rounded black or cream lozenge alternates with its neighbor, a lively checkerboard rhythm. Dense, graphic, strong in its contrast of deep black and pale straw. A narrow border frames it, about 19 by 25 inches.

Look long enough and it starts to move.