Object Details
Maker
Oumar Bocoum, born Mali
Label Text
The blankets with figures evolved from the bright cotton rectangular motif blankets woven for modern beds in the mid-20th century. The uniformed soldiers relate to the 1968 military coup. The scantily clad ladies are not documented but perhaps relate to the blankets used as wedding gifts.
Description
18-strip cotton blanket with figures of 3 soldiers in green uniforms, 2 women in bikinis, shoes and purses, and 1 man in black garb. Rectangular bars of color probably refer to the flag.
Provenance
Ambassador Arthur Lewis, Washington D.C., -- to 2011
Exhibition History
Conversations: African and African American Artworks in Dialogue - From the Collections of the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art and Camille O. and William H. Cosby, Jr., National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, November 7, 2014-January 24, 2016 (installed June 30, 2015)
Published References
Kreamer, Christine Mullen and Adrienne L. Childs (eds). 2014. Conversations: African and African American Artworks in Dialogue from the Collections of the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art and Camille O. and William H. Cosby, Jr. Washington, D.C.: National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, pp. 184-185, pl. 92.
Content Statement
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Credit Line
Gift of the Ambassador Arthur and Doctor Frances Lewis Collection
Date
Late 20th century
Object number
2011-17-8
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
Textile and Fiber Arts
Medium
Cotton, dye
Dimensions
H x W: 158 x 348 cm (62 3/16 x 137 in.)
Strip (18): 9 cm (3 9/16 in.)
Geography
Mali
See more items in
National Museum of African Art Collection
Data Source
National Museum of African Art
Topic
Household
Status
Adornment
male
female
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmafa_2011-17-8