Collar
ClassificationsClothing and Adornments-neck ornaments
Culture
Maasai
Date20th Century
Made AtTanzania, Africa
Made AtKenya, Africa
MediumLeather, metal, and glass beads
Dimensions13 1/2 × 14 in. (34.3 × 35.6 cm)
Credit LineAnonymous Gift
Object number93.59.14
DescriptionBoth beads and the practice of beading within Africa have ancient origins. The oldest dated beads globally were made about 72,000 years ago from shell, bones, and other natural materials. Jumping ahead about 71 millennia, beads made in the Middle East and Southern Asia first started appearing in South Africa by around the 7th century of the common era, brought by Arab and Swahili traders. As major bead-making centers were created in Europe, trade beads began to come to Africa by way of Portuguese and Dutch traders. Since the 16th century, there has been a steady trade of glass beads from Europe, with most today now being imported from countries like the Czech Republic.For many cultures, such as the Maasai of Tanzania, beadwork is used to adorn objects that indicate one’s status and tribal identity. Maasai women wear different kinds of beaded neck rings depending on whether they are young women, of a marriageable age, or married. The same largely holds true for boys and men, whose rank can be determined from their jewelry. Different Maasai subgroups use different color combinations and patterns to distinguish their jewelry from one another.
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20th Century
20th Century
20th Century
20th Century
20th Century
20th Century