Handwoven Baule Cloth Woman Size – Vintage Ivory Coast Textile

Handwoven Baule Cloth – Authentic Vintage from Bondoukou, Ivory Coast

Discover this stunning vintage Handwoven Baule cloth from Bondoukou in Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire), West Africa. Expertly crafted on a horizontal treadle loom and meticulously pieced together from individual strips, this beautiful textile is perfect for collectors or home décor enthusiasts.

• Size: 78″ (198 cm) × 42″ (106 cm) – Woman size
• Condition: Excellent (minor stains and light wear consistent with age)
• Origin: Bondoukou town, handmade in Ivory Coast
• Craftsmanship: Handwoven using traditional narrow-loom technique; strips sewn into a full panel

This genuine African artisan textile shines as a wearable cloth in Ivory Coast communities, but its versatility makes it ideal today as a wall hanging, sofa drape, or bed covering. Bring a piece of West African cultural heritage into your home with this fine decorative statement.

What Are Baule Cloths?

Baule cloths are traditional textiles created by the Baule people of the Ivory Coast region. Crafted with great care on horizontal treadle looms, each narrow strip is expertly woven and then joined to create a larger fabric. The weaving incorporates natural fibers typically cotton and sometimes silk or raffia giving the cloth a textured, durable feel.

Handwoven Tradition & Symbolic Motifs

Baule weavers adorn their cloths with emblematic symbols geometric shapes, stylized animals, plants, and cultural icons each carrying deep meanings such as prosperity, fertility, and spiritual protection. These motifs reflect the weaver's intentions and connection to Baule heritage.

Materials & Weaving Technique

Using cotton (occasionally blended with silk or raffia), Baule weavers manually spin and dye yarns with natural pigments. The horizontal narrow-loom process yields long fabric strips that are skillfully stitched together to compose the final cloth.

Usage & Cultural Significance

In Baule society, these textiles are traditionally worn by women like this piece, which is “woman size” during important ceremonies and gatherings. They also function as gifts to mark milestones such as marriages or rites of passage. Today, collectors prize them for their craftsmanship and cultural resonance.

Heritage & History

The Baule weaving tradition dates back centuries in the Ivory Coast. Over generations, the Baule people have refined their techniques and deepened the symbolic language expressed through cloth. While their style evolved over time from simple solids to elaborate patterned panels these textiles remain a living connection to West Africa’s artisanal legacy.

Own a handwoven Baule cloth that carries the stories and artistry of the Ivory Coast perfect for both cultural appreciation and elegant décor.

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