Ndebele Beaded Apron Nelson Collection
Ndebele Beaded Apron Nelson Collection
Current Price: $818.00
Ndebele Beaded Apron, PEPETU, OLD African Beadwork Type of Object: Beaded Apron Pepetu Ethnic Group: Ndebele Country of Origin: South Africa Materials: Cotton canvas fabric, glass beads, leather. Approximate Age: Mid 20th century Dimensions: 14 inches x 6.5 inches Overall Condition: Good. Most of our pieces have spent decades on at least two continents, and have been treasured by several owners. Small splits, scrapes and cracks are a normal part of their patina attesting to their age and extensive use. We examine each piece carefully when we receive it and report any damage we find in our listings. Please look carefully at the pictures which may also reveal condition and damage. Damage, Repair: none Provenance: From the Collection of Peter Nelson, who was a Peace Corps volunteer, collector, and dealer. These pieces were collected in the 1970s and very early 1980s. This piece is from his personal collection. Additional Information: A superb and old piece, in very good condition, showing clear evidence of wear, this beaded rectangular apron is a work from the Ndebele. Aprons such as this are known as pepetu. They are worn by young unmarried women. Wearing the pepetu apron means the young woman is ready to be married. She would wear such apron until her wedding day . On the wedding day she would wear a wedding apron Jojolo. After the wedding she will change the Jocolo apron and will wear a new beaded apron called mapoto until she will bear her first child. The Ndebele of South Africa are superb beadworkers. Their beadworks are remarkable for their variety, their bright colors, and their intricate designs. Beadwork has became a cultural icon of the Ndebele. Beadwork as well as mural art are important aspects of the Ndebele and South Africans peoples. They have a social meaning and are part of important ceremonies and their decorative aspects bring color and outstanding ornaments to their environment. Beadworks are considered as signs of status, wealth, and beauty. These artistic activities are devoted to women. Also, women, especially, are the most active users of beadworks. Young girls as well as little children also wear beadworks. Men also use beaded jewelry, beaded lioncloth, and ceremonial accessories. In special events both men and women would wear garments made out of beads. A complete Ndebele womans attire would include beaded or metal jewelry such as brass rings around their neck and legs, wonderful headdresses of different medium, and aprons like this, which are worn to "beautify" the wearers, to show their status and to provide respect and dignity to the wearers and emphasize the ritual side of each important event. Today, a few women still wear metal jewelry, but most now have gold plastic replicas with Velcro, worn on ceremonial occasions. Ndebele married women still wear beaded blankets like large shawls, and beadwork on their arms, ankles, and heads. They still wear aprons like this heavily beaded with glass beads and decorated with geometric designs similar to those used on the painted facade of their houses. Recommended Reading: For similar examples and much more information, see Courtney-Clarkes NDEBELE Rhoda Levinsohn. Art and Craft of Southern Africa. Delta Books, 1984 I have examined this piece and agree with the description. Niangi Batulukisi, PhD.**046192** All content, including pictures, Copyright Africa Direct Inc., 2006 Add Us To Your Favorite Sellers! Please visit our About Us page. Africa Direct, Inc. has been selling on eBay since 1997 and has received more than 30,000 positive feedbacks. It is owned by Eliza and Sara, who began the company after spending a year wandering southern Africa in a camper van with their multi-racial family. They have been honored with eBay's Hall of Fame award, and by eBay Giving Works, through which they have raised more than $30,000 in charity auctions. Customer Service: We treasure our many long term customers, and will try to make you one of them! If you have problems, please tell us... we care! Handling Time: We ship daily except Sundays and holidays. Most orders go out the same day, and all go out within 48 hours. Returns: We want you to be happy with your purchase. You're welcome to return an item within seven days in the same condition you received it--just let us know you're returning it. You may have either a credit or a refund for your purchase price, not including shipping both ways. 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Ndebele Beaded Apron Nelson Collection
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