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Apron

Photo: Paul Macapia

Apron

20th century

In a Kirdi community, the chevron and triangular patterns so clearly laid out in these pubic aprons could have been read to identify aspects of the life of the wearer. Whether the woman was a young girl, married or widowed, and whether she belonged to a particular group or age grade was likely spelled out. However, the government of Cameroon outlawed the wearing of such aprons in the last generation and knowledge of this graphic language has been lost.
Cord, beads, cowrie shells
8 x 17in. (20.3 x 43.2cm)
Gift of Dr. Oliver E. and Pamela F. Cobb, in honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Seattle Art Museum
2004.109
Photo: Paul Macapia
location
Not currently on view

Resources

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, A Bead Quiz, July 1, 2008 - July 1, 2009
Published ReferencesMcClusky, Pamela, Repeat, Repeat, A Community of Collectors, Seattle, WA: Seattle Art Museum, 2008, p. 137, illus. 116.

Seattle Art Museum respectfully acknowledges that we are on Indigenous land, the traditional territories of the Coast Salish people. We honor our ongoing connection to these communities past, present, and future.

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