Description
AS625 – superb early mixed strip aso oke woman’s wrapper cloth, iborun, Yoruba, Nigeria, circa 1900. Hand spun and industrial cotton, silk. Woman’s wrapper cloth made up of 12 narrow strips, of which six are different patterns. dating from the late C19th or very early C20th it displays some of the subtle variations in indigo and white strip patterning which characterised Yoruba aso oke at this period, with four strips augmented by trans-Saharan magenta silk. Cloths of this extremely rare type could be called “oruko pe”, meaning the “names are complete”, i.e. it had all the different patterns (in reality of course there were far more than 6 different patterns.) Retains its original hand sewn seams and hems throughout. A mixed strip cloth in the British Museum’s Beving collection of much the same date has only four different strip designs.
Condition is excellent. Measurements: 68 inches x 57, 172 cm x 146
All items on this site are vintage. That means that they may have a few small marks or blemishes consistent with use. We will try to highlight any significant issues in the description above but in the event you are not happy with your purchase please notify us within 48 hours of receipt and you may return it for a full refund (excluding return shipping costs.)
