Artwork Page for Woman's Shawl or Head Covering

Details / Information for Woman's Shawl or Head Covering

Woman's Shawl or Head Covering

1900–1925

Africa, West Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Hausa or Dyula-style, unknown makers

Medium
Cotton, silk, indigo and other natural dyes
Measurements
Overall: 150.5 x 120.7 cm (59 1/4 x 47 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
Alma Kroeger Fund 2024.73
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
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Did You Know?

Only six examples of this rare textile are known.

Description

A woman would have worn this embroidered textile on her head or her shoulders, with the motifs on her back. It was likely adorned by itinerant Hausa embroiderers, whose knowledge as Koranic scholars inflected their work with a symbolic and calligraphic style. The large, almond-shaped forms may represent lotus leaves or may have links to Islamic talismanic motifs or amulets (hatumere).
A vertically rectangular indigo textile features dark blue vertical stripes and intricate cream, red, and yellow embroidery. One large central cross-like motif floats above three similar shapes near the bottom, all surrounded by small circular and diamond accents. A dense horizontal band of geometric, interlocking patterns lines the lower edge. The textile concludes with a long indigo fringe, where each strand ends in a tiny, colorful bulb of thread.

Woman's Shawl or Head Covering

1900–1925

Africa, West Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Hausa or Dyula-style, unknown makers

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