West Africa, Nigeria, Yoruba culture, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A pair of ornate sashes made from cotton cloth and covered with thousands of glass seed beads and cowrie shells to form colorful patterns and symbols, the larger is in the shape of a snake and the other is rectangular. Belt sashes such as these were symbols of spiritual position and worn during ceremonies by Ifa diviners / priests. The snake panel contains crocodiles and scorpions, the other with anthropomorphic horned faces / masks, fish, and snakes. The time and painstaking work to make both of these panels is intensive but the resulting sashes are astoundingly beautiful and desirable today as decorative wall hangings. The cloth on the verso of both has nice signs of age. Size of snake sash: 62" L x 6.3" W (157.5 cm x 16 cm)

Even though the Yoruba have a long history of glassmaking, the beads used to make this special clothing were imported from the British during the late 19th century. During this period, glass beads signified high status and substantial wealth. Such petite European "seed beads" were thought to be particularly special, due to their uniform size and wide variety of colors. Wearing clothing covered with so many precious beads would certainly indicate rank and wealth. The zigzag and triangular patterns symbolize lightning as well as vipers, an emblem of power.

Provenance: private Niwot, Colorado, USA collection

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#176986

Some fraying to threads and beading on the rectangular sash, some looser strands of beads and a few losses, but overall great condition. Snake sash has some minor fraying, but beadwork is intact and excellent. Discoloration and staining to cloth verso on both commensurate with age and use.