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Woman’s Shawl or Head Covering
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A woman would have worn this embroidered textile on her head or her shoulders, with the motifs on her back. It was likely adorned by itinerant Hausa embroiderers, whose knowledge as Koranic scholars inflected their work with a symbolic and calligraphic style. The large, almond-shaped forms may represent lotus leaves or may have links to Islamic talismanic motifs or amulets (<em>hatumere). </em>
| Artist / Maker | Anonymous, unknown makers |
|---|---|
| Date | 1900–1925 |
| Culture / Origin | Africa, West Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Hausa or Dyula-style, unknown makers |
| Medium | Cotton, silk, indigo and other natural dyes |
| Dimensions | Overall: 150.5 x 120.7 cm (59 1/4 x 47 1/2 in.) |
| Department | African Art |
| Type | Textile |
About the Artist
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
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