Appliqéd prestige cloth -- Abomey (see Art) (Murnane, n.d.)

Item — Box: 3, slide: 10.22.01

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

Slides of Africa from various sources; these slides document a variety of topics such as agriculture, landscapes, city scenes, villages, architecture, industry, transportation, commerce, and people, from throughout Africa during the 20th century.

Dates

Majority of material found within 1960 - 2000

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on use of the materials in the department for research; all patrons must comply with federal copyright regulations. To inquire about access to this collection, please contact the Herskovits Library at africana@northwestern.edu.

Extent

From the Collection: 99 Boxes (99 slide boxes.)

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

General

The applique motifs are cut out of plain weave cotton and are sewn onto a monochromatic cotton fabric background. Details may be added by embroidery. Motifs are heraldic symbols of certain Dahomean kings and represent great achievements, historical events, or moral teachings. The appliqued prestige cloths are used as the regalia of royalty, as religious apparel, or as funerary cloths. In addition to appearing on royal banners, the emblems are seen on chief's caps and state umbreallas. Applique workers are men living in the city of Abomey and belong to a family guild that transmits patterns for design units from one generation to the next. These banners were seen as early as 1734, and have been historically described with motifs identical to those made today. Tradition still dictates style and composition, though much of the work is sold to tourists. This banner was made in 1972, and is 32" by 65.5".