Art Institute of Chicago

Pendant

Kuba

Date

19th century

Medium

Jute, raffia, cowrie shells, and beads

Culture

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Department

Arts of Africa

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

Since the inception of the Kuba Kingdom in the 16th century, individuals have signaled court rank and status with their elaborate dress. Glass beads imported from Europe and cowrie shells from the Indian Ocean have been used in the production of such accoutrements since the 18th century. Exclusively owned by men, bead- and shell-covered belts and pendants like this pre-1910 examples are still worn in combination with voluminous textile skirt-wrappers by both Kuba royalty and Kuba masqueraders. [See also 1997.461]

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