Resist-Dyed Textile (Ndop)

Currently not on view

Resist-Dyed Textile (Ndop)

Early 20th century

Artist/maker unknown, African

In the grassland region of Cameroon and Nigeria, ndop cloths are widely used as badges of identity and for ceremonial purposes, often hung as backdrops for important personages and festivals. To make this impressive cloth, hand-spun cotton was woven on a backstrap loom and the resulting narrow strips were stitched together. Areas of resist were then laboriously produced with raffia stitching before the cloth was dyed with indigo, after which the resist stitches were carefully removed.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Resist-Dyed Textile (Ndop)

Date:

Early 20th century

Artist:

Artist/maker unknown, African

Medium:

Strip-woven stitch-resist dyed cotton plain weave with cotton embroidery in buttonhole stitch

Dimensions:

8 feet 7 inches × 17 feet 10 inches (261.6 × 543.6 cm)

Classification:

Textiles

Credit Line:

Purchased with funds contributed by Mr. and Mrs. Ira Brind, 2002

Accession Number:

2002-171-1

Geography:

Made in Cameroon, Africa

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Currently not on view