Country Cloth Hammock

A hammock, made from country cloth. Country cloth is traditionally made from locally grown cotton that is spun into thread, dyed, and woven into strips on a tripod loom. The strips are then sewn together edge to edge to form the finished piece. Such cloth was, in the past, regarded as a sign of wealth and prestige. This example has an elaborate design, being constructed of several strips in alternating patterns and colours. It uses light blue, dark blue, black, yellow, green, and red, dyed cotton; the central white panel has a deep pile. The hammock is supported by wooden poles, terminating in birds heads at either end. This was originally part of the Wellcome Historical Medical Museum collection. It was acquired by the British Museum in 1954.

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Further Information

  • Type: Domestic equipment
  • Object: Country Cloth Hammock
  • Materials: Textile, Wood
  • Culture Group: Mende
  • Dimensions: 2130mm [L] x 580mm [W]
  • Production Date: Pre 1954
  • Associated Places: Unknown
  • Associated People: Wellcome Historical Medical Museum
  • Museum: British Museum
  • Accession Number: BM:Af.1954.23.3425

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