L x W x D: 108 x 6.5 x 3.8 cm (42 1/2 x 2 9/16 x 1 1/2 in.)
Type:
Textile and Fiber Arts
Geography:
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Date:
Mid-20th century
Label Text:
The Kuba are recognized for the variety of elaborate beaded and shell decoration worn during cermonial occaisions. This includes bandoliers, necklaces, headbands, belts and belt ornaments which display a variety of ingenious fabrication techniques. This finely decorated belt ornament was created to be worn suspended over a man's voluminous raffia skirt. Like belt ornaments made of spotted hide, either leopard or civet cat, the beaded version was also meant to be visually impressive. On this example glass beads form geometric patterns on a three dimensional knot. The rest of the belt is covered with cowrie shells, a type of currency. The careful matching in size and color of both the beads and the shells are an indication of its high quality workmanship.
Description:
A long woven raffia belt with a central section forming a knot, covered with black and white glass beads in geometric patterns flanked by sections covered with rows of cowrie shells.
Provenance:
Mikoom Yemam, Democratic Republic of the Congo, -- to 2001
Allen C. Davis, Alexandria, Virginia, 2001 to 2002
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