This tunic was woven and block-printed In Mali or Burkina Faso during mid–20th century
A striking vintage West African tunic created from handwoven cotton strips and decorated with bold block-printed motifs. The central design features rows of stylized crocodiles, powerful symbols associated with water spirits, protection, and ancestral strength throughout the Sahel. Alternating with them are vertical millet stalk motifs, representing nourishment, fertility, and the continuity of community life.
Printed in deep black pigment over a warm terracotta-rose cotton ground, the motifs were applied using carved wooden blocks. Block-printing is an important textile tradition in Mali and Burkina Faso. The tunic retains its full sculptural form with extended shoulders and hand-stitched joins where the narrow woven strips are united. Graphic, symbolic, and rich with cu ltural meaning, this piece functions beautifully as a wall textile or a sculptural garment.
Handwoven cotton in very good condition with light, age-appropriate wear.
Size: 4'3" x 4’4" [130cm x 132cm]
Age: Mid Century
Origin: Mali or Burkiba Faso
Type of Textile: Block Printed Dress
Material: Cotton
Condition: Very good
TX534
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