Kingdom of Kongo

I have two wall hangings, weavings from 18th or 19th century Kingdom of the Kong - or so I've been told. Where would be the best place to take these to authenticate? Thanks.

 

Hi Jani

I couldn't find anything on Kingdom of the Kong, I think you may mean Kingdom of Kongo.

A starting point may be to contact the Metropolitan Museum of Art at

1000 Fifth Avenue (at 82nd Street), ​

New York, NY 10028. Tel: 212 535 7710 as they do have a Kongo section.​

 

I've got some knowledge of African textiles. Without a photo obviously it's hard to tell what you have, but it sounds like you probably have a Bakuba (not Kongo) raffia cloth (of which I have two, one very early 20th century). Once you know these it's pretty easy to estimate their age. Please read my notes on my webpage, and then post a photo so I can give you more information even if it's not what I suspect. http://hartcottagequilts.com/africantextiles3a.htm

 

Thanks everyone -- I am back on the site now. Not sure what happened but got taken off ?? Here are some photos of the pieces I was talking about. BTW -- I meant to write Kongo (not Kong ).

 

I did also go onto the link by 6rivets -- very helpful thank you

 

Jan, so you are the same person as jani? Good to know!