Photo of collection object Waistband with Fringe
South Sotho. Waistband with Fringe, 19th century. Glass seed beads, seeds, sinew, 16 3/4 x 3 1/4 in. (42.5 x 8.3 cm). Bequest of Mrs. George Hadden, 52.80.2. Creative Commons-BY.

Waistband with Fringe

19th century

South Sotho

Arts of Africa

Southern and eastern Africa has a wide-ranging history of beadwork used for personal ornamentation. Unlike most of the art displayed in these galleries, the three objects in this case are nonrepresentational (though they carry explicit and implicit social meanings) and were made by women. The trade in beads flourished in South Africa after 1830. The newfound availability of glass beads diminished their value as status objects but stimulated the development of new forms of personal adornment, including this waistband worn by a young woman in the period between initiation and marriage.
Maker/Artist
South Sotho
Classification
Accessories
Formatted Medium
Glass seed beads, seeds, sinew
Dimensions
16 3/4 x 3 1/4 in. (42.5 x 8.3 cm)
Departments
Arts of Africa
Accession Number
52.80.2
Credit Line
Bequest of Mrs. George Hadden
Rights Statement
Creative Commons-BY
Dominant Colors

Have a concern, a correction, or something to add?

Similar Artworks

musefully

Open source Elasticsearch & Next.js museum search.

Let's Stay Connected