1800s-1900s
Glass beads, plant fiber, copper alloy, and iron
Overall: 68.6 cm (27 in.)
Leonard C. Hanna, Jr. Fund 2010.207
The colors and designs of Nguni beadwork have symbolic meaning.
Typically such an ornament was worn by a woman in conjunction with other beadwork in complementary color schemes. In addition to making her own beadwork, however, a woman would also produce her husband’s beadwork and, before marriage, the beadwork worn by the young man courting her. Before the introduction of glass beads by European traders, southern African communities acquired beads of Indian manufacture from Arab traders.
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