Handwoven Baule Cloth – Ivory Coast Woman Size 57″×44″

Nice Vintage Handwoven Baule Cloth – Woman Size (57″ × 44″)

Beautiful vintage Handwoven Baule cloth from Bondoukou, Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire), West Africa. This stunning piece in “Woman size” measures:

• Length: 57″ (145 cm)
• Width: 44″ (111 cm)

The cloth is in very good condition, showing minor vintage character with a few small holes, light stains, and gentle wear consistent with age. Each strip has been expertly sewn into a larger textile. Originally crafted on a horizontal treadle loom, this Ivory Coast Baule cloth remains functional today for clothing, collecting, or as a decorative wall hanging, sofa throw, or bed cover.

About This Handwoven Baule Cloth

Our Handwoven Baule cloths are traditional textiles from the Baule people of Ivory Coast. Woven entirely by hand on horizontal narrow‑loom treadle looms, skilled artisans produce narrow strips that are sewn together to create full-sized garments and household textiles. These strips display rich patterns, symbolic motifs, and deep cultural meaning.

The distinctive symbols woven into the cloth such as go‑go snakes, kpan‑kpan zigzags, and kplo checker patterns represent important Baule values: fertility, protection, and communal harmony. Stripes of cotton and silk, dyed using natural indigo and other plant dyes, create tonal textures ranging from deep blues to earthy shades.

When created, such cloths were worn by Baule women during important ceremonies, rites of passage, and community gatherings. They served as expressive canvases, reflective of the wearer’s identity and social status. Over time, Baule cloth came to symbolize cultural pride and became treasured items in Ivory Coast households.

Collectible today for their exquisite craftsmanship, these cloths are displayed as wall art, used as sofa or bed coverings, or incorporated into modern fashion. They embody authentic African artistry and centuries of Baule weaving tradition.

History of Baule Cloth

The Baule people migrated to central Ivory Coast in the 18th century. With weaving traditions tracing back through generations, the Baule developed a unique textile style that blends aesthetic artistry with symbolic storytelling. Horizontal treadle back‑strap looms enabled fine, narrow strip weaving. Over decades, this evolved into the sewn‑strip Baule cloth recognized today each meticulously assembled to form a harmonious whole.

As European interest in African art grew in the 20th century, Baule cloth became sought‑after by collectors and museums. The traditional cloth remains important in Baule society, worn during festivals and passed down as family heirlooms.

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