Riding Coat from Benine, Africa

This is a particularly fine old riding coat woven with indigo dyed cotton and undyed cotton. There are two shades of blue woven into strips and then sewn together.

Under the saddle is a Yoruba from Mali. Again indigo dyed but the pattern is created with a resist which is sewn in.

Starch also can be used and tying the cloth up is much used in India.

Benine is famous for its bronzes and one can be seen in the Artifacts section.

Provenance; purchased by private collector from John Gillow Sept 08 £350.