Collection record · Objects & craft
Back Skirt/Sitting Pad (negbe)
The collection record classifies this work as garment. It is dated by 1928. Recorded culture or place: Africa, Central Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mangbetu-style makers.
Explore the object recordOBJECT RECORD
A closer look at the details.
- Museum title
- Back Skirt/Sitting Pad (negbe)
- Date
- by 1928
- Culture / origin
- Africa, Central Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mangbetu-style makers
- Materials and technique
- Plant fibers and dye
- Dimensions
- Overall: 19.7 x 27.3 x 6.3 cm (7 3/4 x 10 3/4 x 2 1/2 in.)
- Artist / maker
- Not specified by the museum
- Museum
- The Cleveland Museum of Art
- Accession number
- 1929.353
FROM THE MUSEUM
In the museum’s words
The following description is reproduced from the Cleveland Museum of Art’s original English record.
Egbe (singular: negbe) were fashionable and practical garments aristocratic Mangbetu women made for special occasions. Worn over a skirt, it tied onto a girdle along with a frontal “apron.” The curved interior piece rested on the lower back. Thickly woven, flexible natural fibers bent with the body, cushioning the wearer’s behind when sitting. When the woman was standing, the decorated flat portion faced outward, showing off bold geometric motifs. Egbe were among items sold to foreigners at the Mangbetu king’s encouragement as the Mangbetu actively constructed their self image for outsiders during the 1920s and 1930s.
FOLLOW THE SOURCE
Text and image sources
The Cleveland Museum of Art · Gift of the African Art Sponsors of Karamu House · CC0
The summary is based on public collection data. Refer to the museum’s latest record for the title, date and attribution.
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