Zulu Beaded Apron

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Photo by John Bentham.
Zulu Beaded Apron
Photo by John Bentham.
Date20th century
MediumGlass beads, cotton, thread
DimensionsOverall (with straps folded as pictured): 11 × 23 in. (27.9 × 58.4 cm)
Credit LineGift, in memory of Dr. Mary “Polly” Nooter Roberts, Africanist, art historian, and museum professional
Object number2024.3.6
Not on view
DescriptionTraditional beaded Zulu apron, possibly an "isigege" or beaded girdle/pubic covering from the Nongoma Region of South Africa based on the pattern, colors, and size.

Additional Details

Provenance Purchased by Allen F. Roberts and Mary "Polly" Nooter Roberts in 2005 from the African Art Center, Durban, South Africa.
Photo by John Bentham.
Date: 20th century
Medium: Glass beads, metal washers, brass US millitary button, cotton, thread
Object number: 2024.3.7
Belt
Date: c. 1875
Medium: Leather with brass tacks, glass beads, sinew, and thread
Object number: 1984.539
Beaded blanket strip
Date: c. 1875
Medium: Tanned leather, sinew, and glass beads
Object number: 1984.532
Fragment of a beaded loop
Date: unknown
Medium: Leather and glass beads
Object number: 1984.536
Amulet with coin pendant
Date: c. 1875
Medium: Leather with glass beads, metal, and coin
Object number: 1984.538
Moccasins
Date: c. 1875
Medium: Leather with glass beads, porcupine quill, dyed horsehair-filled tin cone dangles, and cotton cloth
Object number: 1984.540a-b
Shirt decoration
Date: unknown
Medium: Tanned hide, glass beads, and horse or cow tail
Object number: 1984.553
Knife sheath
Date: c. 1875
Medium: Rawhide with brass tacks, glass seed beads, and red paint
Object number: 1984.541
Knife Sheath
Date: c. 1875
Medium: Leather with rawhide, glass beads, and tin cone dangles
Object number: 1984.542
Club
Date: c. 1875
Medium: Stone, wood, leather, and glass beads
Object number: 1984.544
Awl case
Date: unknown
Medium: Leather, porcupine quill, feathers, tin cones, and glass beads
Object number: 1984.535
Fragment of a Beaded Loop
Date: unknown
Medium: Leather; blue and white glass beads
Object number: 1984.537