Woven Legacies: Tradition & Innovation

3 Feb 2025

Central to the auction is the exploration of an expanded definition of what ‘woven’ entails:

Woven; formed by interlacing threads passing in one direction with others at a right angle to them,

intertwined to create form, 

a poetic union of connection, pattern and purpose

‘Woven Legacies: Tradition & Innovation’ highlights a diverse range of materials, techniques, and processes from various regions, including Southern, Central and Western Africa. These works coalesce utility, aesthetics and cultural identity. From the tactile threads of textiles to the intricate blending of natural fibres in baskets and the sculptural forms of steel, copper, brass and beads, the concept of weaving is reimagined as a metaphor for connection, storytelling and the passing on of tradition. 

This sale includes traditional textiles such as Kuba cloths from the Democratic Republic of Congo, alongside a ceremonial Kuba calabash and Ewe prestige robes, which carry the weight of royal significance and ancestral memory. Building on these rich traditions, ‘Woven Legacies’ further extends the notion of weaving by introducing contemporary creations, including wrought ironworks by Conrad Hicks and exquisitely woven rings by Sharon Botha. Together, these works demonstrate how age-old weaving and crafting techniques continue to inspire innovation today. 

‘Woven Legacies’ includes a significant selection of vintage baskets from the collection of Dr. Elizabeth Terry, a social scientist with a special interest in craft development. This is a landmark moment marking the first time a collection of this nature has come to market. The baskets, from Southern and Central Africa, exemplify how objects once intended for utilitarian purposes—such as storing food, sifting grain, and carrying goods—evolve beyond their original functions to become cultural artefacts and works of art.

The sale highlights impactful projects including ‘Threads of Africa’, ‘Tintsaba’, and the ‘Mapula Embroidery Project’, which support craftsmanship, sustainability and empowerment across the continent. 

The monumental installation, ‘threads’ is a collaboration between Kate Otten Architects, Frances van Hasselt Mohair Studio and The Herd and was featured in the 2023 Venice Architecture Biennale. This immersive work examines Johannesburg’s history through the lens of weaving — connecting landscape and social geographies with craft traditions. A bespoke round loom evokes the radial energy of the Vredefort Dome meteorite impact, which shaped the gold deposits that gave rise to Johannesburg. The use of gold reinterpreted as an African artefact rather than a mere commodity, symbolizes a reclamation of cultural identity. 

Throughout the sale, themes of labour, tradition and resilience shine through. Whether it is the bold and graphic patterns of Kuba cloths and Adinkra cloths from West Africa or the lively narratives embroidered into Mapula Embroidery Project textiles, the works represent the extraordinary skill and dedication of its makers. The Mapula Embroidery Project tapestries, in particular, stand out for their intricate storytelling. Produced by the women of the Winterveld and Hammanskraal areas in South Africa, these works capture the spirit of their communities, incorporating elements of daily life and hopes for a better future. The painstaking processes behind them highlight the role of craft as an ancient form of human expression. 

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