Skin, glass beads, copper alloy and iron buttons, plant fiber
Dimensions:
H x W x D: 58 x 44 x 5 cm (22 13/16 x 17 5/16 x 1 15/16 in.)
Type:
Textile and Fiber Arts
Geography:
KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa
Date:
Late 19th-early 20th century
Description:
The skin of this apron is somewhat brittle and was probably semi tanned (The former owner reports that he washed it). Loops of beads and metal buttons are spaced across the surface and attached with plied fiber.
Provenance:
This collection of Zulu beadwork was given to William F. Brodnax III of Washington D.C. and the West Indies in 1943, (when he was 12 years old) by Mrs. Percy Paris. According to Mr Brodnax, Mrs. Paris who was a friend of his grandmother's, was born in South Africa between 1880 and 1885. The beadwork had been given to Mrs. Paris by her father, who was a high-level Colonial Administrator (possibly Governor) in Natal or Cape Colony around the turn of the century. William Brodnax does not know Mrs. Paris' maiden name.
Content Statement:
As part of our commitment to accessibility and transparency, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art is placing its collection records online. Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks. If you see content requiring immediate action, we will do our best to address it in a timely manner. Please email nmafacuratorial@si.edu if you have any questions.
Image Requests:
High resolution digital images are not available for some objects. For publication quality photography and permissions, please contact the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at https://africa.si.edu/research/eliot-elisofon-photographic-archives/
