Textile
1960-1967 (made)
Not currently on display at the V&A
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place Of Origin |
This is an example of adire, an indigo resist dyed cloth made by the Yoruba people of south-western Nigeria. Resist-dyeing involves treating certain areas of the cloth with a ‘resist’ to prevent them absorbing the dye. When starch is used as the resist these cloths are known as adire eleko. The base cloth has a pattern of green and white stripes which can be clearly seen in the areas where the starch has been applied.
This pattern is known as Olokun, ‘goddess of the sea’. The goddess is also associated with wealth. The cloth is divided into four rows of five squares with a series of smaller rectangles around the edge which are then filled in with a variety of patterns.
This pattern is known as Olokun, ‘goddess of the sea’. The goddess is also associated with wealth. The cloth is divided into four rows of five squares with a series of smaller rectangles around the edge which are then filled in with a variety of patterns.
object details
| Categories | |
| Object Type | |
| Materials and Techniques | Indigo-dyed and starch-resist. |
| Brief Description | Indigo-dyed and starch-resist cloth, Nigeria, 1960-1967 |
| Physical Description | Indigo-dyed with a starch resist over a green and white printed cotton. Two pieces sewn together to make a shape that is roughly square. The cloth is divided into squares which are filled with a variety of patterns, this design is known as 'Olokun'. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Content description | This pattern is named 'Olokun' or sea goddess in Yoruba. The sea goddess is seen as the bringer of wealth. |
| Summary | This is an example of adire, an indigo resist dyed cloth made by the Yoruba people of south-western Nigeria. Resist-dyeing involves treating certain areas of the cloth with a ‘resist’ to prevent them absorbing the dye. When starch is used as the resist these cloths are known as adire eleko. The base cloth has a pattern of green and white stripes which can be clearly seen in the areas where the starch has been applied. This pattern is known as Olokun, ‘goddess of the sea’. The goddess is also associated with wealth. The cloth is divided into four rows of five squares with a series of smaller rectangles around the edge which are then filled in with a variety of patterns. |
| Collection | |
| Accession Number | CIRC.757-1967 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest Feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest Feedback
| record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |