Insika Screen,
Tutsi people, Rwanda-Burundi, early 20th century

Woven fiber panels with bold graphic designs were used to partition and decorate the interior of elite Tutsi homes. This finely crafted screen is exceptional for the sensitive configuration and integration of a variety of geometric motifs from the design repertoire – especially in the way the kinetic diagonal lines of zigzagging triangles funnel through and frame the asymmetric juxtaposition of checkered and diamond patterning in the center, opening up in space as they advance towards the upper register.

Provenance: Udo Horstmann collection