250128 - Long African Raffia carpet Shoowa-Kuba - 418 cm - Congo.

Raffia carpet Shoowa-Kuba Congo DRC.
Size Total length 418 cm x 58 cm.

African art and the refinement of Kuba weaving.
Produced in Zaire by the Shoowa, Bashoowa, Kuba subgroup, these fabrics are true primitive art paintings and consist of a base of raffia textile on which the threads are cut flat, creating a velvety effect accentuated by the contrasts of tone. The geometric patterns formed represent the ethnic body scarifications or the decorations of the sculptures. These refined fabrics were intended to be used at the royal court as seats or covers, to enhance its prestige. In many cases, they took on the value of money, or they also followed their owners to the grave by covering the body of the deceased.