A Iraqw Beaded Skirt. Beads, natural fibers, and animal hide. North central Tanzania, East Africa. Frame: 61 5/8" x 38 3/4". Iraqw skirts are amongst the most elaborately decorated textiles from eastern Africa. Each skirt is unique, the design being a product of the skill of the individual maker and the resources available. Typically, the skirts consist of four panels made from cow- or goat-hide, with thousands of beads attached using lazy stitch to create the characteristic long bands and geometric motifs. In historic examples, the beads are usually white, red, blue and black, with some yellow; those made in later decades incorporate other colors, such as light blue and green. Condition: Good with signs of use and with minor bead loss.
|