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SALE"Aso-Oke" Strip Woven Robe Indigo & Wt. Sanyan Style Textile Yoruba Nigeria

$ 58.08

Availability: 100 in stock
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: Nigeria
  • All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
  • Condition: Good Vintage Used Condition some stains some loose strips, some red dye staining -see photos
  • Handmade: Yes
  • Modified Item: No

    Description

    DESCRIPTION:  This is an Older Vintage Handmade Nigerian Strip-Woven
    Cotton
    Nigerian Aso-Oke/Ashoke/Asoke Traditional Upscale Robe.  Indigo Blue striped strips alternate with off-white Sanyan Style strips, embroidered with a beautiful red design.  Both Indigo and off-white sections are strip-woven on a loom by hand.
    The off-white strips are handwoven Cotton, which is made to resemble and honor the Antique "Sanyan", - a wild Silk that would have been obtained locally from the cocoons of the Anaphe moth.
    Also we see a lace type of open hole and string design referred to as "eleya", and seen on some of the Older and fancy Robes.
    Overall the Robe is in good condition, but has some areas with stains, and a few of the machine sewn seams between strips have come loose here and there, although strips themselves are intact (woven in strips then sewn together, so strip edges are 'finished').  There is some red color bleed from the dyed red embroidery thread staining the off-white material ( depicted in photos).  Robe is un-hemmed on ends.  Overall a very Beautiful handmade Vintage Textile with lovely hand sewn embroidery accents.  This Robe has a lot of Great life left!
    Traditionally the silk Sanyan robe was very important and valued, and would have been worn during special events such as Weddings and Funerals.
    Spinning and Weaving of Wild Silk has reportedly disappeared in Nigeria, unfortunately, according to respected sources [example-"Textiles: Collection of the Museum of International Folk Art", Bobbie Sumberg, pg.125 ].
    Fine Cotton robes resembling the silk Sanyan in color and design were gradually incorporated over the past 100 years and are considered prestigious and still worn by many Nigerians for very Important events such as Weddings and Funerals, and Both are considered Family Heirlooms.
    SIZE:  Measures ~78" (with strips running horizontal) X ~68.5" Width
    There are #7 off-White Strips with red embroidery
    There are #9 Indigo Striped Strips- (one in center is double and counted as two)
    White strips measuring 3.5" - 4" wide on front
    Blue strips measuring 4.25" - 4.5" wide on front (double strip 8.25")
    WEIGHT: 2 Pounds 2.0 Ounces
    CONDITION:
    This is a nice Old Vintage to Semi-Antique Textile that has been Worn, has Traveled, and been Traded.  Overall it is in very nice sturdy condition, the fabric is intact, feels good, and I do not see any tears- though some of the machine sewing between strips has come loose in a few spots.  The ends of robe are un-hemmed- see photos.  Some loose "eleya" surface threads.  The red embroidery has light fading onto the off-white cotton in some areas, and a few pulls here and there (photos #4, #5 examples).  There are some light stains that I have not tried to remove: (photos #7,#8,#9). Photo #11 shows back of Robe).
    Please use photos to help determine appearance and condition and zoom in as needed.
    CARE: I have NOT tried to Spot Clean or Wash myself.  DO NOT Machine Wash because of the Red Embroidery and "eleya" threading.  Always Spot Test if in doubt and Hand Wash Cold with gentle soap.  Do not use harsh detergents.  Consult with  Dry Cleaner but alert not to use Harsh Chemicals.  I am not an expert on cleaning Vintage and Antique Textiles.
    PLEASE contact me before paying if you are buying multiple items and I will quote for adjusted combined shipping price.  Thanks!
    I have been buying Antique Trade Beads for almost 50 years, and had a Wholesale and Retail Bead Store, Folk Art, and Tribal Art Store in Greensboro, NC for some 25 years (Lost and Found Gallery), and am now semi-retired.  We are just beginning to sell on eBay.  Please feel free to ask any questions you may have about the beads.
    Sorry but we can only ship to the Continental USA at this time, but hope to expand in the near future.
    PAYMENT: We accept PayPal, but hope to expand your options in the near future
    SHIPPING: We Pack very well, insure, and (usually) ship USPS Priority*
    *Please NOTE: for HEAVY (1 Lb. and over) and LARGE Packages You Can PICK USPS RETAIL GROUND to SAVE MONEY BUT it Takes Much LONGER to Arrive!!  Toggle Choice.