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This adire eleko cloth, indigo-dyed by the starch-resist technique (hand-painted or stenciled, often with a feather as the "brush"), is at least 35 years old; but it has been in storage for that time and is just as it came from the market in Ibadan where it was acquired in the early 1970s. As shown in the photos, there are many different designs incorporated into the overall pattern, which is called "sun bebe", the Yoruba words meaning, "lifting up of beads", which is a provocative movement on the part of the girl; and this cloth will presumably make her even more attractive. Sun bebe is the most intricate and detailed of all adire designs and probably takes the longest to paint. This piece displays the classic four rows of seven large squares or rectangles on each single piece. It is also differently dyed than any of the other adire we have seen; it is darker overall and the designs in the cloth are darker than in other pieces--as if it was dipped in the indigo dye vats twice. This example is also very shiny, as it still has a lot of indigo dye in it, probably never having been rinsed. Most adire is intended for wearing, and the wrapper consists of two single cuts sewn together, as seen here. Note the wide variety of different designs present in this example; however, each square has a background of "beads", and many designs are purely geometrical. Some designs are clearly pictorial; however, we cannot identify them by name. The cloth measures 68" by 74" and has four-inch hems at each end. This piece is also "signed" by the artist, as seen in the border and the last photograph.Handmade adire is seldom produced anymore, as it involves a tremendous amount of labor; and old adire like this is rare today. The cloth was originally made to be used as ordinary everyday attire, and was discarded when it wore out. What remains of fine old adire now resides mostly in museums or private collections. This example is definitely of museum quality. Please be aware that the natural indigo dyes are NOT colorfast, so care must be taken. (For more information and comparisons, see "www.adireafricantextiles.com", which sold a similar example recently for $850.00.) Buyer pays for shipping.
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