Cape

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Cape

Amhara artistLinkedCulture matchlcp-110ba417ce7b

Date
c. 1900
Medium
Velvet, silk, cotton, silver, glass, lion fur
Culture
Amhara
Department
Arts of Global Africa
Institution
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Object ID
139991

From the Minneapolis Institute of Art record

Everything about this prestigious Ethiopian costume shouts “lion”! The animal’s fur and mane were used to decorate the shoulders of the cape and the crown of the headdress. The cape’s shape is modeled on a lion skin, with long straps suggesting four paws and a tail. The front-piece has a central triangular gilded plaque engraved with a lion and a sword. This is the Lion of Judah, traditionally regarded as the symbol of the Israelite King Solomon from which the emperors of Ethiopia claimed descent. In the past, an emperor would have given this costume to a great hunter or warrior as a badge of honor. Amhara, Africa

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Provenance & credit

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Credit line
Gift of funds from Dr. Richard L. Simmons

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