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Object Timeline
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1901 |
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1940 |
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1973 |
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2007 |
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2013 |
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2025 |
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Strip (Nigeria), early 20th century
This is a Strip. It is dated early 20th century and we acquired it in 1973. Its medium is silk, cotton and its technique is hand-loomed warp-faced plain weave, tied-resist patterning in warps (ikat). It is a part of the Textiles department.
Alaari, along with etu and sanyan, are the three most prestigious and deeply traditional Yoruban cloths. Alaari is made from waste silk – the short fibers remaining on the silk cocoon after the continuous filament has been reeled -- which must be spun. These waste fibers originated in southern Europe, were dyed in North Africa, and transported along trans-Saharan caravan routes to Kano and other West African trading centers. Magenta was the favored color; the dye is believed to be cochineal-based.
Occasionally all-silk fabrics were made, but usually the silk was used in combination with locally grown cotton, where the silk is used as warp stripes or as supplementary weft patterning. This example, with its deep violet color and subtle ikat stripe, is considered to be cloth of the very highest quality.
This object was
donated by
Dr. Mattiebelle Gittinger.
It is credited Gift of Dr. Mattiebelle Gittinger.
Its dimensions are
Warp x Weft: 43.2 x 10.8 cm (17 x 4 1/4 in.)
Cite this object as
Strip (Nigeria), early 20th century; silk, cotton; Warp x Weft: 43.2 x 10.8 cm (17 x 4 1/4 in.); Gift of Dr. Mattiebelle Gittinger; 1973-65-2
