The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of March 16, 2026

Woman's Shawl or Head Covering

1900–1925

Africa, West Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Hausa or Dyula-style, unknown makers

Cotton, silk, indigo and other natural dyes
Overall: 150.5 x 120.7 cm (59 1/4 x 47 1/2 in.)
Alma Kroeger Fund 2024.73
Location: Not on view

Did You Know?

Only six examples of this rare textile are known.

Description

A woman would have worn this embroidered textile on her head or her shoulders, with the motifs on her back. It was likely adorned by itinerant Hausa embroiderers, whose knowledge as Koranic scholars inflected their work with a symbolic and calligraphic style. The large, almond-shaped forms may represent lotus leaves or may have links to Islamic talismanic motifs or amulets (hatumere).
  • c. 1925-27 or 1910-40
    Gustave Maignan, Rennes, France
    Alain Gateaux, Paris, France
    ?–2024
    Andres Moraga, Berkeley, CA
    2024–
    The Cleveland Museum of Art by purchase
  • {{cite web|title=Woman's Shawl or Head Covering|url=false|author=|year=1900–1925|access-date=16 March 2026|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2024.73