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Art History Virtual Exhibition

African Grass Mats: Researched and Conserved by Samantha Walsh

August, 2020 by Sarah Teel

These two grass mats are made of raffia, a durable material derived from palm tree leaves, which is a traditionally used in making many woven goods in Central Africa.  Among others, the Kongo and Kuba cultures are known for making elaborately woven cloths and mats from raffia fibers. As shown in these mats, the Kongo and the Kuba are also known for dyeing palm fibers with natural mineral dyes in muted shades and earth tones.  These two mats were likely made for the tourist trade as placemats or doilies, but their elaborate floral designs resemble traditional Kongo culture “jour work” or “cut work,” a lacy type of traditional mat weaving.

 

Large Flower-Patterned Grass Mat
Kongo culture
Ca. 1980s
Grass and pigments, L. 47 cm x W. 1 mm x H. 60 cm
BFPC collection #2011.49a

 

Small Flower-Patterned Grass Mat
Kongo culture
Ca. 1980s
Grass and pigments, L. 34.5 cm x W. 1 mm x H. 33.5 cm
BFPC collection #2011.49b

 

 

For more information, you may contact the researcher(s) noted in the title of this exhibit entry, or Dr. Billie Follensbee, the professor of the course, at BillieFollensbee@MissouriState.edu

Filed Under: 2017 Fall, ART/MST 488: Basic Conservation of Art and Artifacts Tagged With: africa, african art, grass mat, kongo culture

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  • 2017 Fall, ART/MST 488: Basic Conservation of Art and Artifacts
  • 2017 Spring, ART 485: Art of Mesoamerica
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  • Art History Virtual Exhibit

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