Wrap Skirt Item Number: 1473/9 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Rectangular, ceremonial skirt, or apron. The main body of the piece is made of black cotton textile which is bordered on the right-hand side with a narrow multicoloured, patterned vertical stripe. Several small ‘rosettes’ made of cowrie shells are scattered across the width of the main body of the apron. The lower third of the garment consists of a finely-woven, horizontally striped, multicoloured textile, with many woven geometric motifs. A horizontal row of closely-spaced cowrie shells is affixed to the apron just above this patterned textile and extends almost all the way across the width of the garment, and below it is a parallel row of Jacob’s tears seeds. Many long strands of dark red and blue glass beads and metallic cylindrical beads, interspersed with Jacob’s tears seeds, are attached below these rows of shells and seeds and hang freely to the bottom of the garment. Each strand of beads is finished with a tuft of wool, resembling a small tassel.
History Of Use
Worn at special occasions, such as feasts of merit and prayer rituals.
Narrative
Formerly owned by the family of Shilu Lal. Purchased by Dr. Oberoi in Tuensang, along with eleven other wrap skirts of similar design (see 1473/1 thru 1473/12).
Specific Techniques
Woven on a back strap loom.
Iconographic Meaning
Cowrie shells signify bravery. The various colours in the bands indicate the clan to which the wearer belongs.
Item History
- Made in Nagaland, India during 1940
- Collected by Harjot Oberoi in Tuensang, Nagaland, India on October 7, 1989
- Owned by Harjot Oberoi before March 19, 1991
- Received from Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source) and Harjot Oberoi (Seller) on March 19, 1991
What
- Name
- Wrap Skirt
- Identification Number
- 1473/9
- Type of Item
- skirt
- Material
- dye, cotton fibre, cowrie shell, jacob's tear seed ?, tin metal, glass and wool fibre
- Manufacturing Technique
- woven, sewn, beaded and embroidered ?
- Overall
- height 85.4 cm, width 124.1 cm
Who
- Culture
- Ch'in
- Field Collector
- Harjot Oberoi
- Previous Owner
- Harjot Oberoi
- Received from
- Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source) and Harjot Oberoi (Seller)
Where
When
- Creation Date
- during 1940
- Collection Date
- on October 7, 1989
- Ownership Date
- before March 19, 1991
- Acquisition Date
- on March 19, 1991
Other
- Item Classes
- textiles
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 1473/0009