Vintage Kuba Cloth Cushions Graphic

Go bold with these vintage Kuba cloth cushions in abstract designs.  The earthy tones and graphic patterns work well in a contemporary or modern rustic interior.

The cushions are made from hand-woven raffia palm, which is the traditional fabric of the Kuba people of central Africa, now the Democratic Republic of Congo.  The Kuba people are known for their artistry and striking geometric designs and have been weaving with raffia palm since the 17th century.

How Kuba Cloth Is Produced

Men and women share the work of transforming the raffia palm leaves into fabric.  The women are responsible for planting the raffia palms and the men collect the leaves and strip them to reveal the inner layers. Sometimes the men dye the inner layers of the raffia palm with natural dyes prior to weaving, they then soften the leaves by rubbing the strands together. The men hand weave the short fibres on traditional heddle looms creating panels of about one metre square.  Kuba women take care of the finished cloth, sewing the panels together to make ceremonial skirts and decorating the fabric with applique, embroidery or creating a velvet-like cut-pile texture.

Our striking vintage Kuba cloth cushions are made from natural raffia, which is golden in colour, and dyed appliqué graphic patterns in a blue black colour, which are sewn on to the natural raffia with tan thread.  The cushions are backed in French linen in slate and are available with or without a feather inner pad.

Take a look at our hand embroidered Kuba cloth cushions here.

Size: 50cm x 40cm (19.68″ x 15.74″)

Material: raffia palm

Care:  Gently sponge any marks.  Not suitable for hand or machine washing or dry cleaning.