Painted Bark Cloth, Lese people, Ituri Forest, d.r. Congo. Ex Tom Phillips collection, uk. a bark cloth from the Lese people in the Ituri forest of northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. These were made from the inner bark of fig trees, pounded and prepared by men, then painted with gardenia juice by women with twigs, fingers or twine. They were folded in half over a sash or belt and worn as ritual dress for celebrations and rites of passage. 29 inches (73.7 cm) high by 15 inches (38 cm) wide. 20th century. Cf. Phillips, Tom. The Art of a Continent. Prestel, 1999 My email is zena@zkta.com