beaded matchbox ornament, unrecorded Zulu artist

Artwork Overview

unrecorded Zulu artist, beaded matchbox ornament
unrecorded Zulu artist, beaded matchbox ornament
unrecorded Zulu artist
beaded matchbox ornament
1960–1965
beaded matchbox ornament, 1960–1965
Where object was made: South Africa
Material/technique: cardboard; beading
Dimensions:
Object Height/Width/Depth (Height x Width x Depth): 13 x 7.5 x 2.5 cm
Object Height/Width/Depth (Height x Width x Depth): 5 1/8 x 2 15/16 x 1 0.984252 in
Credit line: Gift of Anne Hart
Accession number: 2007.3366
Not on display
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Exhibition Label: "Roots and Journeys: Encountering Global Arts and Cultures," Dec-2014, Cassandra Mesick This decorated matchbox is one of the many diverse objects that Zulu people decorate with beads. The Zulu people call beads ubuhla-lu, which translates to “that which makes me stay” or “that which gives me life,” because beads serve as a means of communication and symbolism through their color combinations and patterns. Beadworking is taught to women and girls partly as a mode to share messages. Also, depending on the color and motifs used, traditional bead adornments are used by courting youths to express their love.