Description:

West Africa, Nigeria, Yoruba Culture, ca. early to mid-20th century. An ornate tunic vest made from cotton cloth and covered with thousands of glass seed beads and cowrie shells to form colorful patterns and symbols. Snakes and abstract anthropomorphic faces that consist of a linear mouth, protruding human eyes and nose with ritualistic tattoos or scars flanking the nose decorate the front and verso. A simple pocket is sewn into the side to connect the front and back tunic panels. This beadwork must have taken hundreds of painstaking hours to complete, and this certainly is a special and colorful garment! Size: 13" L x 11" W (33 cm x 27.9 cm); 24" H (61 cm) on included custom stand.

Even though the Yoruba have a long history of glassmaking, the beads used to make this special clothing were imported from the British during the late 19th century. During this period, glass beads signified high status and substantial wealth. Such petite European "seed beads" were thought to be particularly special, due to their uniform size and wide variety of colors. Wearing clothing covered with so many precious beads would certainly indicate rank and wealth. The zigzag and triangular patterns symbolize lightning as well as the Gabon viper, an emblem of power. The numerous faces may represent Oduduwa, a divine and heroic king that defeated numerous enemies and united the Yoruba people.

Provenance: private Orange County, California, USA collection acquired before 2000

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#175078

  • Condition: Staining and discoloration to interior cloth lining, and small perforations commensurate with age and use. Fraying to threads holding some beads and shells along edges and raised areas. Missing cloth side panel on left side. Beading is well preserved and most is tight and intact with a few missing strands.

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January 8, 2023 10:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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