See more objects with the tag asymmetry, status, diamonds, geometric, burial, funerals, diagonal lines.

See more objects with the color sienna darkslategrey darkolivegreen darkkhaki or see all the colors for this object.

Object Timeline

1961

  • We acquired this object.

  • Work on this object ended.

2013

2014

2025

  • You found it!

Status Cloth (Democratic Republic of the Congo)

This is a Status cloth. It is dated early 20th century and we acquired it in 1961. Its medium is raffia and its technique is plain weave, embroidered with stem and pile stitches. It is a part of the Textiles department.

The deep significance of abstract geometric patterning in Kuba culture is evidenced by the seemingly infinite stylistic diversity of status cloths, which are collected over a lifetime to be displayed at death. Dimensionality, asymmetry, syncopation and complex interplay of positive and negative space are the building blocks of the pattern repertoire.

This object was donated by Alan L. Wolfe. It is credited Gift of Alan L. Wolfe.

Its dimensions are

H x W: 42.9 x 55.9 cm (16 7/8 in. x 22 in.)

Cite this object as

Status Cloth (Democratic Republic of the Congo); raffia; H x W: 42.9 x 55.9 cm (16 7/8 in. x 22 in.); Gift of Alan L. Wolfe; 1961-115-44

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Making Design.

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use page.

For higher resolution or commercial use contact ArtResource.

If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-4.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/18437591/ |title=Status Cloth (Democratic Republic of the Congo) |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=5 February 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>