69 - Ceremonial raffia overskirt (wrap)

Ceremonial raffia overskirt (wrap) Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo Without base Raffia. Width 95 m. Length 410 cm. Provenance: Private Swiss collection, Bern. Published: Associazione Pro Loco Povoletto and the Municipality of Povoletto (1999). “Povoletto: Incontri con l’Africa.” Page 51. Exhibited: Povoletto. “Incontri con l’Africa: arte e artigianato africano” (1999). Kuba textiles occupy a prominent place within African art. Their artfully crafted fabrics, made from raffia fibers, are characterized by a distinctive visual language marked by complex geometric patterns, sophisticated variations, and surprising asymmetries. Over generations, the Kuba have developed and preserved an extraordinary textile tradition whose creative diversity and masterful craftsmanship continue to impress to this day. The Kingdom of Kuba, founded in the 17th century, united some 20 Bantu-speaking ethnic groups in the territory of what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The confederation, dominated by the Bushoong, retained its political independence until the expansion of Belgian colonial rule toward the end of the 19th century. As a traditional institution, the kingdom continues to exist today, albeit without its former political autonomy. In addition to the Bushoong, its members include the Ngeende, Ngongo, Kete, and Shoowa, among others. The Kuba display a pronounced preference for geometric shapes and decorate numerous everyday and ritual objects with artfully crafted patterns that usually cover the entire surface. However, they gained particular fame for their masterfully crafted raffia weavings, which were prized far beyond the borders of their kingdom. In addition to the well-known small-format raffia cloths, the magnificent wrap-around robes also rank among the Kuba’s outstanding creations. These ceremonial robes, composed of numerous individual panels of fabric, can reach a length of over ten meters and are worn by both women and men like a skirt around the hips. The design, craftsmanship, and ornamentation of these precious garments are closely linked to the social rank of their wearers as well as the specific ceremonial occasion. Particularly elaborately crafted pieces are considered a sign of wealth, prestige, and social status. Portuguese travel accounts from the 16th and 17th centuries already mention the exceptional quality of Central African raffia textiles. In the trade of that time, such fabrics were exchanged for salt, cowrie shells, and pearls, among other things. Through extensive trade networks, these coveted cloths reached as far as Angola, where they were also used as a medium of exchange. The raffia weavings of the Kuba are among the outstanding achievements of African textile art. Their sophisticated geometric compositions, the playful variation of recurring motifs, and their distinct sense of rhythm and asymmetry give them an unmistakable aesthetic. Their extraordinary formal language exhibits remarkable parallels to 20th-century abstract art. Artists such as Paul Klee, Antoni Tàpies, and Keith Haring are known to have engaged with Kuba textiles and appreciated their artistic quality. In these extraordinary textiles, masterful craftsmanship, social function, and artistic expressiveness merge to create works of art of timeless fascination. Further reading: Meurant, Georges (1989). Traumzeichen. Munich: Verlag Fred Jahn. CHF 1,000 / 2,000 Weight in grams: 1,580 Condition: Hammer Auctions places great importance on providing a careful and as precise as possible description of all lots offered in the catalog. Each lot is documented with several photographs intended to provide as comprehensive an impression as possible of its condition. This includes, in particular, visible signs of wear, irregularities, and age-related changes. We recommend that all interested parties and bidders carefully examine the photographs before submitting a bid, as they form an essential part of the lot description. In addition, we recommend viewing the items in person before the auction, if possible. All condition descriptions are provided to the best of our knowledge and belief and are based on our professional assessment. They are provided for informational purposes only and do not claim to be exhaustive. In particular, there may be age- or use-related characteristics that are neither explicitly mentioned nor visible in the photographs. Hammer Auctions assumes no liability for unintentional errors or omissions in the condition descriptions to the extent permitted by law. However, we always strive to address any ambiguities or concerns transparently