Yoruba, Nigeria: an old glass bead belt with figurative decoration – a prestigious object belonging to high-ranking dignitaries of the Yoruba.
Yoruba, Nigeria: an old glass bead belt with figurative decoration – a prestigious object belonging to high-ranking dignitaries of the Yoruba.
A long, wide fabric belt that is densely embroidered with small, old, colourful glass beads in different shades of blue and red, as well as some white and black beads. Glass beads have been imported from Europe for centuries. The motifs on the elaborate embroidery are, from top to bottom, as follows: a face, perhaps representing the legendary first king of the Yoruba people, followed by a red snake, a tortoise, a human head, a bird and a crocodile. This row of symbolic motifs is framed on both sides by a white zig-zag pattern made from glass pearls, as well as a surrounding border of cowrie shells (a symbol of wealth). Among the Yoruba people, the owners of such a bright pearl belt could only be the clan chief (or king), high-ranking dignitaries and diviners. The object shows no damage and is preserved in a modern box frame. Length: c. 114 cm; width: 13 cm; first half of the 20th century. (ME)
Provenance:
Austrian private collection.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
09.06.2016 - 17:00
- Realized price: **
-
EUR 1,000.-
- Starting bid:
-
EUR 800.-
Yoruba, Nigeria: an old glass bead belt with figurative decoration – a prestigious object belonging to high-ranking dignitaries of the Yoruba.
A long, wide fabric belt that is densely embroidered with small, old, colourful glass beads in different shades of blue and red, as well as some white and black beads. Glass beads have been imported from Europe for centuries. The motifs on the elaborate embroidery are, from top to bottom, as follows: a face, perhaps representing the legendary first king of the Yoruba people, followed by a red snake, a tortoise, a human head, a bird and a crocodile. This row of symbolic motifs is framed on both sides by a white zig-zag pattern made from glass pearls, as well as a surrounding border of cowrie shells (a symbol of wealth). Among the Yoruba people, the owners of such a bright pearl belt could only be the clan chief (or king), high-ranking dignitaries and diviners. The object shows no damage and is preserved in a modern box frame. Length: c. 114 cm; width: 13 cm; first half of the 20th century. (ME)
Provenance:
Austrian private collection.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
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| Auction: | Tribal Art - Africa |
| Auction type: | Saleroom auction |
| Date: | 09.06.2016 - 17:00 |
| Location: | Vienna | Palais Dorotheum |
| Exhibition: | 04.06. - 09.06.2016 |
** Purchase price incl. buyer's premium and VAT
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