AFRICAN CHACHO CURRENCY SHOOWA VELVET TEXTILE TRADITIONAL DESIGNS Type of Object: KUBA CLOTH "Butala" Premium Quality Ethnic Group: KUBA Country of Origin: DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC of CONGO Materials: RAFFIA, NATURAL DYE Approximate Age: 30+ years (can be used for sofa and throw pillows) Dimensions: 21" by 21" Weight: 249.0 g; 0.6 lbs; 8.8 oz Overall Condition: Used, EXCELLENT Kuba cloth is the embroidered and appliqued fabric of the Kuba people from DR of Congo and is amongst the best-known textile of the ancient African tradition of raffia cloth weaving. It's geometric art forms have been the source of inspiration for artists such as Picasso, Klee and Matisse who respectively owned extensive collections. Kuba textile art is created from single panels of cloth embroidered with dyed raffia thread and is cut to create a plush pile cloth. These panels are not worn but displayed, and serve as currency and markers of prestige. This one is a prestige panel. Like almost all so-called Kasai "velvets", the overall composition is asymmetrical and irregular and no two panels are identical. All of the individual items in our Ebay store are from my personal collection. These are objects acquired from more than 20 years of collecting both in the field and in New York. It has culminated in the creation of Ethnix Tribal Arts gallery in New York City. and our online EBAY store. Each item has been selected for its individual merit such as the quality of workmanship, construction, age, and authenticity.