Adire Eleko “Spinning Tops” Woman’s Wrapper
Yoruba People, Nigeria
Circa 1960s-1970s
Cotton brocade (bazin cloth) (3 panels), starch-resist and stencil dyed with indigo 
76 ¼ x 66 ½ ins (190.6 x 166.25 cm)

In this wrapper, the dynamic pictorial graphics associated with the adire eleko tradition are reduced to a single kinetic motif, aptly titled “spinning tops” or “records.”  Note the unexpected blurring effect of the brocade weave on the crisp concentric patterning within each circle; the slightly textured rows of brocade also introduce a linear play to overall composition.  The artist’s or studio’s marks are seen on the border.

The textile is in perfect condition and seemingly had never been worn before it was collected.

$1,500