Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 5

Bogolan Cowrie Shell Mud Cloth Textile

$248
£187.63
€216.55
CA$346.39
A$385.12
CHF 201.59
MX$4,723.32
NOK 2,566.69
SEK 2,423.26
DKK 1,615.99
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

Commonly known as Bogolan or Bògòlanfini, this cotton textile was hand spun, handwoven, then dyed through a technique that has been passed down in the Bamana region of Mali for centuries. In traditional Malian culture, Bogolan, or mudcloth, is worn by hunters for ritual protection and used as a status symbol. Bogolans are also worn during a woman's initiation into adulthood as well as after childbirth, as the cloth is believed to have the power to absorb dangerous forces. To make this stunning design, the cloth is dipped into specially prepared dyes made with leaves from the n'gallama tree, giving the cloth its distinctive yellow base. This process is repeated until the cloth reaches the desired color, possibly taking several weeks from start to finish. Once the cloth dries, the patterns are drawn on to the fabric and the negative space is covered with fermented mud, once again repeated until reaching the desired depth of tone. This Bogolan was made with a repeating design of cowrie shells bordered by horizontal and vertical zig zag patterns in alternating white pigments. Originally used as currency, cowrie shells became a symbol of wealth, power, fertility, and protection for many African cultures. Today this textile lives on as a decorative throw blanket or unique tapestry.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 0.25 in (6.35 mm)Width: 78 in (198.12 cm)Depth: 49 in (124.46 cm)
  • Style:
    Folk Art (In the Style Of)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    20th Century
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Chicago, IL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: CAA1502A1stDibs: LU820038764292

More From This Seller

View All
Bogolan Cowrie Shell Mud Cloth Textile
Located in Chicago, IL
Commonly known as Bogolan or Bògòlanfini, this cotton textile was hand spun, handwoven, then dyed through a technique that has been passed down in the Bamana region of Mali for centu...
Category

20th Century Malian Folk Art Pillows and Throws

Materials

Cotton

Kuba Dye-Resist Tcaka Textile
Located in Chicago, IL
Visually dynamic and highly textured, this raffia textile expresses the irregular, geometric patterns typical of Kuba textile art. Created by an artisan of the Kuba people of the Dem...
Category

20th Century Congolese Tribal Tapestries

Materials

Raffia

Chinese Quadrilobe Fabric Pillow with Embroidery
Located in Chicago, IL
This Chinese pillow was hand crafted by an artisan of the Republic Era (1912–1949). Constructed in the style of traditional ceramic or wood headrest, this pillow has an hour glass fo...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Textiles

Materials

Cotton, Silk

Framed Hmong Appliqué Textile Fragment
Located in Chicago, IL
Dating to the mid-20th century, this colorful Hmong textile is a classic example of the appliqué technique used for the traditional cloth known as paj n...
Category

20th Century Southeast Asian Folk Art Tapestries

Materials

Fabric

Thai Woven Linen Pillow with Chinese Pearls
Located in Chicago, IL
This artisan-made pillow is sewn by hand of hand-loomed linen from Thailand. It is finished with black Chinese pearls and filled with feather inserts.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Pillows and Throws

Materials

Other

Kuba Beaded Laket Prestige Cap
By Kuba
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite cone-shaped cap, known as laket, was created by an artisan of the Kuba peoples of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The base is made of a simple woven raffia fabric, ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Congolese Tribal Mounted Objects

Materials

Shell, Fabric

You May Also Like

Bogolanfini "Mud Cloth" Woman's Wrapper
Located in Point Richmond, CA
WOMAN’S WRAPPER (BOGOLANFINI) Mali, Bamana people First half 20th century (probably made circa 1970) Cotton (hand-spun), strip weave; painting with mud and plant dyes These textil...
Category

Vintage 1970s Malian Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Cotton

African Textile Panel with Shells
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Old African textile panel with shells,: You can mount on a panel for wall, or place on table, or mount as lampshade. Its colors are sunny. It's wonderful for a sea-house ! B/1677-1   
Category

Mid-20th Century Congolese Modern Textiles

Materials

Raffia

Vintage Tribal Style Embroidery - Hand Made - 100% Wool - Late 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage tribal style embroidery/textile - hand sewn - thick course multi-colored 100% wool threads worked in a diamond pattern with alternating bands of black on a canvas backing - b...
Category

Late 20th Century Folk Art Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool

Mud Cloth 'Bogolanfini', Mali, Bamana People, Mid-20th Century
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A mud cloth (Bogolanfini), Mali, Bamana People mid-20th century. Hand woven 'discharge dyed' cotton Approximately 71 x 52 in. (180cm. x 132cm.) A dazzling geometric pattern...
Category

Mid-20th Century Malian Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Fabric

African Textile SHOWA KUBA, also for Backrest Cover
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Vintage African Kuba textile, suitable for a modern wall panel, on a long table or to make pillows. an IDEA: use this item as backrest covering of a sofa....
Category

Mid-20th Century Congolese Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Raffia

Mid-20th Century Tribal Tapa Cloth, Fiji
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Tapa cloth made from mulberry fiber with natural pigments, Fiji, mid-20th century.
Category

Mid-20th Century Fijian Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Natural Fiber