Skip to Content
Closed today, next open tomorrow. Closed today, next open tomorrow.

  • Mon 11–5
  • Tue–Wed Closed
  • Thu 11–8
  • Fri–Sun 11–5
  • The first hour of every day, 10–11 a.m., is reserved for member-only viewing.

Head Ornament

A work made of nylon and polypropylene hair, amber, coral, shell, silver, carnelian, and glass beads.

Image actions

  • A work made of nylon and polypropylene hair, amber, coral, shell, silver, carnelian, and glass beads.

Date:

After 1960

Artist:

Tekna
Laayoune, Western Sahara
Northern Africa and the Sahel

About this artwork

In contrast with the silver head ornaments of the Imazighen peoples of Algeria and Morocco on display nearby, those of the Tekna and other Hassaniya-speaking peoples are made of finely knotted and twisted horsehair or synthetic hair that is decorated with beads in a variety of materials—ebony, silver, coral, glass, and shell— and semiprecious stones. Such ornaments blend into the hairlike wigs of those who wear them.

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Arts of Africa

Culture

Tekna

Title

Head Ornament

Place

Morocco (Object made in)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

1960–1999

Medium

Nylon and polypropylene hair, amber, coral, shell, silver, carnelian, and glass beads

Dimensions

12.5 × 18 × 4.6 cm (4 15/16 × 7 1/8 × 1 13/16 in.)

Credit Line

Alsdorf Foundation - James and Marilynn Alsdorf Acquisition Fund

Reference Number

2009.574

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

Share

Sign up for our enewsletter to receive updates.
Learn more

Image actions

Share

Suggested Terms