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Back Skirt / Sitting Pad (negbe)
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<em>Egbe</em> (singular: <em>negbe</em>) were fashionable and practical garments aristocratic Mangbetu women made for special occasions. Worn over a skirt, it tied onto a girdle along with a frontal “apron.” The curved interior piece rested on the lower back. Thickly woven, flexible natural fibers bent with the body, cushioning the wearer’s behind when sitting. When the woman was standing, the decorated flat portion faced outward, showing off bold geometric motifs. Egbe were among items sold to foreigners at the Mangbetu king’s encouragement as the Mangbetu actively constructed their self-image for outsiders during the 1920s and 1930s.
| Artist / Maker | Anonymous, Mangbetu-style maker |
|---|---|
| Date | before 1929 |
| Culture / Origin | Africa, Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mangbetu-style maker |
| Medium | Plant fibers and dye |
| Dimensions | Overall: 24.1 x 30.5 x 7.6 cm (9 1/2 x 12 x 3 in.) |
| Department | African Art |
| Type | Garment |
About the Artist
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
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