Antiques

Item Description

Huge, Vintage Bogolanfini (Mudcloth) Panel - handcrafted in Africa - 7 x 7 feet

This stunning panel of authentic African mudcloth is clearly the real deal, not a cheaply dyed or printed speedy imitation. We do not know the exact date it was made, but it is at least 50 years old.

The primary side is black and white, (more of a charcoal grey.)
The back reflects the same dyed pattern, but appears more ochre and white. The fabric is heavy, almost burlap-like, probably cotton, and probably hand woven.The panel is made up of  7 inch strips, carefully matched and hand sewn together.

It is so huge that I had to get four friends to hold it to be photographed!

It is pre-owned, and has a few small holes (they do not fray) since it was used as a wall hanging, backing other works of art. It could stand alone as an artisanal wall hanging, be used as a backing again, or as a cover for a bed.

African mudcloth (Bogolanfini) is a traditional Malian fabric that is dyed with fermented mud and plant dyes. Historically, the cloth is sun-dried then painted repeatedly with fermented mud, which chemically reacts with the tree leaves and leaves the cloth a rich brown even after the mud is washed off.

Mud cloth is a centuries-old, hand-dyed textile art that originated in West Africa with the women of Mali’s Bamana culture. Known locally as Bògòlanfini, authentic mud cloth takes two to three weeks to make by applying one to two coats of color-rich mud to undyed cloth.

Made by the Bambara people of Mali (Also known as Bamana), Bògòlanfini is derived from three words in the Bambara language. ‘Bogo’ which means mud/earth, ‘lan’ translates to with and ‘fini’ is cloth. Hence Mud Cloth. But this isn’t your run of the mill tie and dye job. It’s a painstakingly long process that uses fermented mud to traditionally dye handmade Malian cotton fabric. The fabric is then adorned with symbols that go beyond their aesthetic element. An enduring tradition and point of national pride.

Item Special Note

Sales tax applies.  If the item is not picked up at the Stewards office by August 14, 2022,  it will be mailed to the address provided, and shipping costs will be charged.  If no address has been provided, the sale will be void within 30 days of the auction's closing, the winner may treat their bid as a tax-deductible donation to Stewards, and the item will be resold at a future auction.

Pick-up winning items at Armstrong Redwoods Volunteer Center.
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