Necklace
first quarter 20th century (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This necklace of shells, beads and coins is part of an arresting costume of dark hues, subtle patterns and brilliant silver work. It would have been worn as an every day garment, as well as on special occasions, by a woman of the Akha ethnic group of Kentung State--the eastern most state of Burma which borders Thailand.
The ensemble was worn by an Akha woman on a visit to Mandalay, and there it was purchased from her by the donor. The whole costume includes a jacket with two long swinging ropes of beads and seeds which hang at each side, a gathered skirt, a breast cloth, separate leggings as well as personal ornaments and a conical palm-leaf hat. The latter strikingly is decorated with rings of glass beads, seeds and straw-work and a heavy fringe of coloured glass beads and side strings of white seeds and brightly coloured tassels.
The Akha are a farming people with deep beliefs in the supernatural and they celebrate not only the usual harvest and new year festivals, but also hold ceremonies accompanied by animal sacrifices and other rituals. The Akha originally came from Yunnan in Southern China and a Chinese influence is evident in the scrolling appliqué work in the panels at the bottom of the back of the jacket.
The ensemble was worn by an Akha woman on a visit to Mandalay, and there it was purchased from her by the donor. The whole costume includes a jacket with two long swinging ropes of beads and seeds which hang at each side, a gathered skirt, a breast cloth, separate leggings as well as personal ornaments and a conical palm-leaf hat. The latter strikingly is decorated with rings of glass beads, seeds and straw-work and a heavy fringe of coloured glass beads and side strings of white seeds and brightly coloured tassels.
The Akha are a farming people with deep beliefs in the supernatural and they celebrate not only the usual harvest and new year festivals, but also hold ceremonies accompanied by animal sacrifices and other rituals. The Akha originally came from Yunnan in Southern China and a Chinese influence is evident in the scrolling appliqué work in the panels at the bottom of the back of the jacket.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Cowrie shells, beads and coins |
Brief description | Necklace made from cowrie shells, beads and coins on a string, Shan, first quarter of 20th century |
Physical description | Necklace made from cowrie shells, beads and coins on a string. |
Dimensions |
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Credit line | Given by Mr R. Grant Brown, Esq. |
Object history | The costume was worn by a girl of the Akha ethnic group of the Southern Shan States on a visit to Mandalay and was there purchased from her by the Donor. Necklace from a costume worn by a woman of the Akha ethnic group of Kentung District, Southern Shan States Burma. An ensemble that includes personal ornaments and a distinctive conical hat as well as a jacket, gathered skirt, breast cloth, separate leggings. Mainly of black cotton fabric, with applique of bright and variously coloured cottons, and embroidery of beads (glass and seeds) and cowrie shells. ca. 1st quarter 20th century. |
Production | Attribution note: Made by a woman of the Akha ethnic group. |
Summary | This necklace of shells, beads and coins is part of an arresting costume of dark hues, subtle patterns and brilliant silver work. It would have been worn as an every day garment, as well as on special occasions, by a woman of the Akha ethnic group of Kentung State--the eastern most state of Burma which borders Thailand. The ensemble was worn by an Akha woman on a visit to Mandalay, and there it was purchased from her by the donor. The whole costume includes a jacket with two long swinging ropes of beads and seeds which hang at each side, a gathered skirt, a breast cloth, separate leggings as well as personal ornaments and a conical palm-leaf hat. The latter strikingly is decorated with rings of glass beads, seeds and straw-work and a heavy fringe of coloured glass beads and side strings of white seeds and brightly coloured tassels. The Akha are a farming people with deep beliefs in the supernatural and they celebrate not only the usual harvest and new year festivals, but also hold ceremonies accompanied by animal sacrifices and other rituals. The Akha originally came from Yunnan in Southern China and a Chinese influence is evident in the scrolling appliqué work in the panels at the bottom of the back of the jacket. |
Collection | |
Accession number | IM.77I-1922 |
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Record created | February 20, 2004 |
Record URL |
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