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Woman's Apron

Date:

Mid–20th century

Artist:

Possibly Bourrah or Mokoko region, northern Cameroon
Coastal West Africa

About this artwork

Traditionally the only garment worn by women who had reached puberty, short aprons are important to the history of women’s dress in many parts of Africa. Though today such aprons are rarely seen outside of ceremonial contexts, they were considered to be appropriate coverings well into the mid-20th century. Like other forms of dress, women’s aprons were made from a variety of materials and in a range of styles that often reflected the social status of the wearer.
The widespread importation of glass beads beginning in the late 19th century led to a flowering of beadwork across West and Central Africa and included the production of beaded women’s aprons. This apron is from Northern Cameroon and is related to similar aprons from central Cameroon and neighboring Nigeria, Niger, and Chad. The prominent use of beads and cowries suggests that the apron was associated with wealth. The central design consists of a random pattern of multicolored beads of varying sizes. Larger, cylindrical blue beads line the bottom of the apron, attached to cowrie shells by an exposed cotton fringe.

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Arts of Africa

Culture

Grasslands

Title

Woman's Apron

Place

Cameroon (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.

1925–1975

Medium

Cotton thread, glass beads, and cowrie shells

Dimensions

Appro×. 58.4 × 24.1 cm (23 × 9 1/2 in.) (e×cluding ties; including fringe)

Credit Line

O. Renard Goltra Endowment

Reference Number

2000.462

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.

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