Cleveland Museum of Art

Wig (uyembe matota, wiyembe, or pulumba)

Date: early to mid 1900s
Medium: Plant fiber, pelt, and clay
Culture: Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo or Angola, Chokwe, early to mid 20th century
Department: African Art
Institution: Cleveland Museum of Art
Object ID: 165019

From the Cleveland Museum of Art record

Among the Chokwe, hats, diadems, and wigs of all sorts made in a variety of materials were once commonly worn by both men and women. Some were exclusive to religious and political titles. This wig imitates a female hairstyle in vogue until the 1960s. Made by a male craftsman, it was most typically worn by a woman at dances and other public festivals.

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Provenance & credit

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Credit line: The Jane B. Tripp Charitable Lead Annuity Trust

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