QUILT INDEX RECORD
12-8-5246
Who documented this quilt?
Michigan Quilt Project; Michigan State University Museum Collection; Quilts and Human Rights; South Africa Quilt History Project; The Black Diaspora Quilt History Project; Cuesta Benberry Collection
Where are the records for this quilt housed?
Michigan State University Museum
Michigan Quilt Project Number:
08.0067
If this quilt is owned by a museum, enter the accession number:
2008:119.7
Object label:
Intombi
Maria Hlomuka
Soweto, South Africa
1986
Collection of Michigan State University Museum acc.#2008:119.7
Essay:
In 1986, a group of black South African quiltmakers who were members of the Zamani Soweto Sisters Council, were brought to England as part of a program to create a self-help group for impoverished and mistreated South African women. Cuesta was invited to be an instructor for the program and, while in England, purchased this quilt from Maria. After returning home, Cuesta began to give lectures on the patchwork quilts of the Zamani Soweto Sister Council and the anti-apartheid struggle.
From Cuesta,
I had written and become friends with Zamani prior to my meeting with them in London in 1986. I especially admired Maria Hlomuka because she was a poet as well as a creative quiltmaker. In London, I spent the most enjoyable three weeks with Zamani that I can remember. I bought the "Intombi Quilt" not only for its beauty but also to have a Maria Hlomuka work, a Zamani work, something unlike any other piece in the world.
By Mary Worrall, from the exhibit Unpacking Collections: the Legacy of Cuesta Benberry, An African American Quilt Scholar.
Quilt's title:
Intombi
Subject of the quilt:
African maiden
Names for quilt's pattern in common use:
The Maiden
When was the form filled out?
4/22/08
Quilt top made by:
Hlomuka, Maria
Quilted by:
Hlomuka, Maria
If you are the quilt owner, how did you acquire this quilt?
Received as a gift
Where the quilt was made, city:
Soweto
Where the quilt was made, country:
South Africa
Time period:
1976-1999
When was the quilt finished?
1986
Why was the quilt made?
Art or personal expression
Quilt is presently used as:
Museum collection
Quiltmaker's city:
Soweto
Quiltmaker's country:
United States; South Africa
Quiltmaker's ethnic background/tribal affiliation:
South African
Quiltmaker's mother's ethnic/tribal background:
South African
Other notes on how the quiltmaker learned, and how and why they quilt:
The designer, Maria Hlomuka, did a series of original designs for quilts and wall quilts. All of her quilts were "one of a kind". She was described as a genius and a poet.
This is a:
Finished quilt
How wide is the quilt?
29"
How long is the quilt?
38"
Shape of edge:
Straight
Shape of corners:
Straight
What color is the quilt?
Beige or Tan; Black; Blue; Brown; White
Quilt's condition:
Very good/almost new
Describe the quilt's layout:
Medallion or framed center
Arrangement of quilt blocks:
Straight
Number of borders:
3
Describe the borders:
inner 2 1/2" dark brown middle 2" tan outer 1" dark brown
Fiber types used to make the quilt top:
Cotton; Cotton or polyester blend
Fabric styles used in the quilt top:
Solid/plain
Piecing techniques used to make the quilt top:
Machine Piecing
Applique techniques used to make the quilt top:
Machine Applique
Embellishment techniques used to make the quilt top:
Embroidery
Embellishments used:
Beads attached
Materials used to make the back:
Cotton or polyester blend
What color is the back of the quilt?
Cream
Describe the back:
Same fabric used throughout; Solid/plain
Materials used in the quilt binding:
Cotton or polyester blend
How is the binding made?
Back turned to front
What kind of filling is used in the quilt?
Cannot tell
How are the layers held together?
Hand quilting
Number of quilting stitches per inch, place 1:
6
Number of quilting stitches per inch, place 2:
6
Describe the quilting designs used:
Sun rays
Source of the information on this quilt:
MSU Museum employee
Ownership of this quilt is:
Public- Michigan State University Museum
Quilt owner's name:
Michigan State University Museum
Quilt owner's city:
East Lansing
Quilt owner's county:
Ingham
Quilt owner's state:
Michigan (MI)
Quilt owner's country:
United States
How was this quilt acquired?
Purchase
Tell the story of how the quilt was obtained:
This quilt was collected by Cuesta Benberry to further her research on quiltmaking and/or African American quiltmaking. Her son donated the collection to the Michigan State University Museum when she passed away in 2007.
Describe anything about the history of the quilt that wasn't already recorded in a previous field:
Mrs. Benberry purchased this quilt when she went to England to see the display in Piccadilly by the South African quilters - the Zamani Soweto Sisters' Council. These ladies came to England and visited France, as well, to learn how to create a self-help group for the impoverished and mistreated South African women. Apartheid was still going on in their country. Deidre Amsden went to Africa later and taught them quilting techniques. This show was heralded by the British press. They sold some of their work and had a second show in Brixton at Brixton Gallery. From Cuesta, "I had written and become friends with Zamani prior to my meeting with them in London in 1986. I especially admired Maria Hlomuka because she was a poet as well asa creative quiltmaker. In London, I spent the most enjoyable three weeks with Zamani that I can remember. I bought the "Intombi Quilt" not only for its beauty but also to have a Maria Hlomuka work, a Zamani work, something unlike any other piece in the world."
Access and copyright information:
Restricted
How did the quiltmaker participate in the creation of the quilt?
Made entire quilt
Who photographed this quilt?
Pearl Yee Wong
Copyright holder:
MSU Board of Trustees
Cite this Quilt
Hlomuka, Mari. Intombi. 1986. From Michigan State University Museum, Michigan Quilt Project; Michigan State University Museum Collection; Quilts and Human Rights; South Africa Quilt History Project; The Black Diaspora Quilt History Project; Cuesta Benberry Collection. Published in The Quilt Index, https://quiltindex.org/view/?type=fullrec&kid=12-8-5246. Accessed: 03/29/24
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