Baby Carrier

Item number 3480/2 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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Data
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Description

Goat hide baby carrier decorated with cowrie shells and trade beads. Carrier is rectangular with long, looped straps attached to the top corners, and shorter strands of hide extending from the bottom corners. Thin strip of hide tied through top straps, at ends. Exterior surface of strip is coloured red; front of hide carrier is red-brown, back is naturally coloured. Straps are covered in rows of alternating cowrie shells and dark blue glass beads. Fringe extends from the bottom edges of the straps, hanging overtop of the carrier body. Fringe is covered in white and dark blue beads. Upper half of carrier has a design of two square outlines. Borders made of rows of alternating cowrie shells and blue beads. Each square has a floral design in the upper corner, made of shells and beads. Hide tab underneath square motifs, with bead covered fringe along its bottom edge. Small cross, made of cowrie shells and beads, along bottom centre of carrier. Interior of carrier is undecorated.

Narrative

Acquired by the donor's grandfather, who was an Italian civil servant in Italian occupied Ethiopia; thought to have been collected by him in the 1930s.