• Mandombe Tapestry
  • Kilubukila x ISHKAR - Large Tapestry - ISHKAR
  • Kilubukila x ISHKAR - Large Tapestry - ISHKAR
  • Kilubukila x ISHKAR - Large Tapestry - ISHKAR
  • Kilubukila x ISHKAR - Large Tapestry - ISHKAR
  • Kilubukila x ISHKAR - Large Tapestry - ISHKAR
  • Kilubukila x ISHKAR - Large Tapestry - ISHKAR
  • Kilubukila x ISHKAR - Large Tapestry - ISHKAR
  • Kilubukila x ISHKAR - Large Tapestry - ISHKAR
  • Mandombe Tapestry
  • Kilubukila x ISHKAR - Large Tapestry - ISHKAR

Mandombe Tapestry

Regular price
£525.00
Sale price
£525.00
Regular price
Sold out
Unit price
per 
Kilubukila | 
D.R.C
Regular price
£525.00
Sale price
£525.00
Regular price
Sold out
Unit price
per 
Tax included.



This limited edition tapestry has been crafted entirely by hand by artisans at the Kilubukila atelier in Kinshasa in the D.R.C.

We collaborated with Congolese designer Jess Kilubukila, to reinterpret the traditional Kuba textiles and the historic Mandombe Script, a pan-African language. By using bold colours and playing with the graphics, the final result is a truly unique artwork with a fascinating story.

Each piece is made to order and could will take around 3 months to arrive, please email us on production@ishkar.com for a more accurate timeframe. This artwork is limited to 30 editions.

Free UK shipping on orders over £200
Free shipping to Europe on orders over £250/€290
FRAME

For each piece made, we create a bespoke wooden frame, handcrafted in the D.R.C. If you would like to frame the piece yourself, please email us contact@ishkar.com when you have placed the order.

SIZE

This piece measures 125cm wide x 75cm tall before the frame.

Shipping

Shipping Terms:

We will aim to dispatch orders within 2-3 working days of purchase date but please be aware that we are a small team and delays can occur. We offer a single flat rate shipping option: tracked shipping with Royal Mail.

* For addresses in the UK, estimate shipping time is 2-3 business days.
* International shipping is available to all destinations. For all addresses outside the UK, estimate shipping time is 5-12 business days.
* ISHKAR is not responsible for customs duties or taxes on EU/international shipments, nor is it responsible for delays associated with the import process.

We offer free shipping for:

UK orders over £200
European orders over £250

Returns

Returns Policy:

We will be happy to offer a full refund (excluding shipping) on items returned within 14 days of receipt of delivery. 

• Returned items must be unworn, unwashed and undamaged products purchased directly from ISHKAR.com.
• Proof of purchase is required. • Custom and made-to-order objects are non-refundable unless faulty.
• Photography prints are printed to order and are therefore not refundable.
• For defective, damaged or incorrect items, please notify us within five days of delivery in order to receive a refund/exchange.
• Email us at contact@ishkar.com to organise the return.  

Preorders explained

If an item is out of stock you are able to preorder the item, so that you're first in line when it's back. Please email contact@ishkar.com for more accurate information on when orders for this product are likely to be ready.

Reviews

Reviews

Story

THE TRADITION

Kuba cloth originated in the 17th century in the Kuba kingdom of central Africa, in modern-day Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire). It is now well known that the patterns in Kuba cloth inspired early 20th century artists such as Matisse’s ‘Cut Outs’ and Gustav Klimt’s ‘Golden Period’. Kuba cloth making is a time-intensive process involving multiple people. Traditionally men are responsible for raffia palm cultivation and the weaving of the raffia cloth while women are responsible for transforming raffia cloth into various forms of textiles, including ceremonial skirts, ‘velvet’ tribute cloths, headdresses and basketry.

THE PROCESS

Each piece is crafted by hand and takes around ten days to complete. The tapestry begins with a raw raffia base onto which the coloured raffia is painstakingly added using a technique known as "cut pile" in which the ends of the raffia embroidery threads are cut very short & close to the surface to produce a soft texture similar to velvet. To do this, the raffia fibres need to be tripped and kneaded for an initial softening. The strands are then colored using vegetable dyes. Next, the flat weave textile is produced on an inclined heddle loom, usually by male weavers. At this point, another round of dyeing or kneading may take place, before handing the piece off for the final "finishing" work typically carried out by Kuba women.

THE DESIGN

For this collaboration we looked at writing systems and how they are manipulated across time and place. Each tapestry draws on the Mandombé Script, a script proposed in 1978 in Mbanza-Ngungu in the DR Congo by Wabeladio Payi, who said it was revealed to him in a dream by Simon Kimbangu, the prophet of the Kimbanguist Church. Mandombé is based on the sacred shapes - a square S or 5 shape. It is the only writing system in the world whose visual template is a brick wall. We then played with the orientation and layout of the script to create new shapes that resemble a blend of written scripts from all over the world.

THE ARTISANS

Each piece is entirely crafted by hand by 2-3 different artisans at Kilubukila atelier.  a design and craft workshop based in Kinshasa, D.R.C, that values Congolese heritage and cultures to create design objects and thus access international markets. KIilubukila works with with 25 artisans (including 22 female artisans) who have been trained for product quality control  and consistency. Most women work from home and meet once or twice a week to collect / drop off at the atelier. KIilubakila is in the process of 
creating a workshop, gallery and office to gather about 70 people under the same compound to foster an even stronger sense of community between artisans, while providing flexibility for them to work at home if they’d like. 

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