Very rare Yoruba silk style

£2,400.00

NW632 – Superb and very rare women’s weave Yoruba textile that combines the two expensive and high prestige silks, beige local wild silk sanyan and magenta trans Saharan silk alaari with hand spun white cotton.

 

1 in stock

Description

Superb and very rare women’s weave Yoruba textile that combines the two expensive and high prestige silks, beige local wild silk sanyan and magenta trans Saharan silk alaari with hand spun white cotton. Subtle variations in the placement of beige silk and white cotton in the warp create broad stripes along the cloth, while the prestige imported silk is presented in the form of repeated narrow weft float lines across the fabric. Rows of openwork holes cross the two panels of fabric between the alaari stripes in the weft. A similar cloth is illustrated in Lamb & Holmes Nigerian Weaving 1980:200 were it is described as “very old.” This piece dates from circa 1900. I have collected less than ten others over the past two decades. Condition: slight blurring of the pink colour in a few places, otherwise excellent.

Measurements: 84 inches x 59, 213 cm x 150.

All items on this site are vintage. That means that they may have a few small marks or blemishes consistent with use. We will try to highlight any significant issues in the description above but in the event you are not happy with your purchase please notify us within 48 hours of receipt and you may return it for a full refund (excluding return shipping costs.)