Description
In the Kuba Kingdom, ceremonial occasions require ostentatious displays of wealth and status through dress and other attributes. Specialized male artists excel in the making of beaded regalia like the belt displayed here. They sew both beads and shells onto a woven raffia foundation to create geometric designs. The interlaced pattern on this belt, called imbol, is a favorite Kuba motif that can also be seen on the raffia skirts worn with such beaded ornaments.
Provenance
Nève de Mévergnies Family, before 1910 [see receipt from Deletaille in file]; Emile Deletaille, Brussels, by 1984; sold to Richard J. Faletti (died 2006) and Barbara Faletti (died 2000), Chicago, Ill. and Phoenix, Ariz., 1984; given to the Art Institute, 1997.
Accession Number
148326
Medium
Jute, raffia, cowrie shells, and beads
Dimensions
223.5 × 13.3 × 1.3 cm (88 1/4 × 5 1/4 × 1/2 in.)
Classification
belts (costume accessory)
Credit Line
Gift of Richard Faletti, the Faletti Family Collection
