Collar (Ingqosha)
early 20th century
Xhosa (Thembu subgroup)
Arts of Africa
This necklace would have been worn by a young man along with an ensemble of other necklaces, belts, and head, arm, and leg bands as an indication of his new adult status, following circumcision. Visually setting off the head from the rest of the torso, it would have provided a background for other beaded neck ornaments.
- Maker/Artist
- Xhosa (Thembu subgroup)
- Classification
- Accessories
- Formatted Medium
- Glass seed beads, sinew
- Locations
- Place made: Eastern Cape Province or Free State, South Africa
- Dimensions
- Lower curve length: 27 x 5 in. (68.6 x 12.7 cm) Upper curve: 15 in. (38.1 cm)
- Departments
- Arts of Africa
- Accession Number
- 66.86.14
- Credit Line
- Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Blum
- Rights Statement
- Creative Commons-BY
- Museum Location
- This item is not on view
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