Apron Item Number: Ab342 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Vertically rectangular, beaded apron. Light blue and dark blue knotted and beaded fringes separating two small rectangular panels on either side, with a design consisting of a green diamond shape surrounded by white outlined by black with a a purple triangle at each corner. Along the top, there is a five part green shape outlined by black and white. Below, there are three box shapes with the central one having a four-pointed purple shape with a blue triangle at each upper corner and a green triangle at each lower corner and each of the side boxes having a smaller four-pointed green shape with a downward pointing purple arrow at the outer upper corner. Below, there is a band with a central dark blue diamond shape that has, at either side, an outward pointing purple arrow, a green hour glass shape, and two inward pointing green arrows. Below, there is a thin dark blue band outlined by black. On canvas backing.
History Of Use
Married woman's apron, liphotu; traditionally made on goatskin, but later also on canvas. It is distinguished from the ijogolo by having two side flaps with beaded tassels hanging in a row between them. According to Powell (in ‘Ndebele: a People and their Art): "Informants confirmed that there was an old symbolism operative here, with the side flaps representing the two marriage partners and the tassels the expectation of the children the woman would bear." Also: 'the liphotu is first worn by the bride at the wedding ceremony...the ijogolo with four or five panels, is worn after women have borne children.'
Item History
- Made in South Africa
- Owned by Peter Christie before October 29, 1987
- Received from Peter Christie (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source) on October 29, 1987
What
- Name
- Apron
- Identification Number
- Ab342
- Type of Item
- apron
- Material
- cotton fibre and glass
- Overall
- height 51.5 cm, width 44.0 cm, depth 2.3 cm
Who
- Culture
- Ndebele
- Previous Owner
- Peter Christie
- Received from
- Peter Christie (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- South Africa
When
- Ownership Date
- before October 29, 1987
- Acquisition Date
- on October 29, 1987
Other
- Item Classes
- beadwork; textiles
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 102
- Accession Number
- 1235/0002