Woman's Prestige Loin Cloth
Dida People, Ivory Coast 
Early 20th century
Raffia, shaped resist-dye using natural dyes
40 x 11 inches  (102 x 28 cm)

The synergy of an unusual plaited weave structure, in conjunction with a shaped resist-dyeing technique and burnished
earth toned dyed raffia fibers yields a crisply textured surface in this woman's loin cloth.
The textile deliberately exploits the pliability of the intensively puckered cloth as a design element, setting up a contrast between the tightly compressed, small peaks in the upper band and the rows of larger, stretched tie dye circles of alternating red and yellow below.

This mini landscape evokes heights and plains, hills and tree rings. The fineness of the weave, the intensity of the color, the bobble edging and aesthetic refinement are evidence of great age.

This textile will be featured in our  among exceptional African textile art in our forthcoming catalog available in December.