Vintage Mali Mud Coth, Bogolanfini/Handwoven, Dyed Strips/57" x 35"

Description

Vintage mud cloth (Bogolanfini), is a handmade fabric, made in Mali, of hand woven cotton strips dyed with fermented mud.
It has a long history and, in traditional Malian culture, has been worn by hunters, served as camouflage, as ritual protection, and as a badge of status.  Patterns are rich in cultural significance, referring to historical events, mythological concepts, or even proverbs. Since about 1980 these textiles have become a symbol of Malian cultural identity, and have been exported for use in fashion, fine art, and decoration.
This cloth is an older, hard to find piece, done with the
traditional fermented dyeing technique, and I have learned that the newer works now use commercial dyes. This textile also is done in an older, wonderful pattern, and I especially love the one little change in the pattern with the
“
I
”
section in the middle!
57”
x 35
”
; 7  handwoven cotton strips. Excellent condition: there are no holes or damage; one end hemmed, the other not; the white spot on the photo of the entire piece (#2) is from my camera, not on the work.
_gsrx_vers_625 (GS 6.9.7 (625))