Panel from a Ceremonial Overskirt
Kuba Shoowa people
DR Congo 
Early 20th century
Raffia, natural dyes, emboridery and cut pile technique
21.75 x 23.5 inches  (54 x 59 cm)

Originally collected by Governor François Wenner (he was Governor of a Congo province) between 1920-1941
This is an unfinished panel meant to be half of an overskirt, worn by women in ritual dances and often forming part of the funerary coverings. The panel was never completed or joined to the other half, it was probably collected newly made as is.

The British Museum has a similar example of an unfinished Kuba Shoowa textile which reveals the layout and construction of the design; see African Textiles, by John Picton and John Mack, page 201, The British Museum, London 1979