Nigeria Indigo cloth

Textile

-

Tracing Patterns Foundation

Name/Title

Nigeria Indigo cloth

Entry/Object ID

2023.2.8

Description

This adire textile is a traditional indigo-dyed cotton cloth featuring resist-dyed patterns. The term "adire" itself means "tie and dye." Women traditionally produced these cloths. This particular piece was created by hand-applying a cassava paste resist to the fabric. After multiple dips in an indigo dye vat, the cloth was washed, which dissolved the resist and revealed the designs. The ground fabric consists of two pieces of stiff, commercially woven cloth sewn together.

Acquisition

Accession

2023.2

Source or Donor

Estate of Paul J. Smith

Acquisition Method

Gift

Credit Line

Gift of the Paul J. Smith Estate

Made/Created

Artist

Unknown

Time Period

2nd half of 20th Century

Ethnography

Cultural Region

Country

Nigeria

Culture/Tribe

Yoruba

Dimensions

Width

165 cm

Length

204 cm

Material

Cotton

Provenance

Notes

This piece was acquired by Paul J. Smith at an unknown date. It was donated to Tracing Patterns Foundation in 2023 after he passed away from his Estate.