Arm Ring
ca. 1870-1880 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Unlike iron, copper, which is the main component of brass, was not available to the Zulu people locally in any great quantity. Instead it was acquired through European traders at Delagoa Bay (Mozambique) and traded to the Zulu by Thonga people living in the bay’s vicinity. Purchased in the form of unworked blocks, the Zulu used brass to create neck, leg and arm rings, beads and studs.
Rings of twisted or plaited wire (ubusenga) were made for the wrist, the upper arm and calf of the leg. The wire was wrapped around a core of plant fibre or animal hair to keep the ring flexible. Brass and copper beads were sometimes added as decoration. The rings became popular during the reign of the Zulu leader Cetshwayo (r.1872-1879). Today they are still worn but are more frequently made of lightweight aluminium.
Rings of twisted or plaited wire (ubusenga) were made for the wrist, the upper arm and calf of the leg. The wire was wrapped around a core of plant fibre or animal hair to keep the ring flexible. Brass and copper beads were sometimes added as decoration. The rings became popular during the reign of the Zulu leader Cetshwayo (r.1872-1879). Today they are still worn but are more frequently made of lightweight aluminium.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Coiled steel wire, cast brass beads |
| Brief description | One of three arm rings of coiled steel wire with brass beads, Zulu, South Africa, ca. 1870-1880 |
| Physical description | Arm ring of steel wire wrapped around a core of plant fibre or animal hair, with brass beads at intervals. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Credit line | Given by A. L. Byrne |
| Object history | Accessions register entry - 'Bracelets, three, of brass and steel wire. A circlet of coiled wire with brass beads at intervals. South African (Zulu). Given (received 8th March 1893) by A. Leicester Byrne, Esq., The Gt. Western Hotel, Bombay. Authority for acceptance: Mr. F. Grant Ogilvie's on R.P. T. 24467/1903, (file) R.P. T.19715/1903.' |
| Historical context | See - 'Prestige Ornaments, The use of brass in the Zulu kingdom', Carolee G. Kennedy, African Arts, vol. 24, no. 3, July 1991 |
| Summary | Unlike iron, copper, which is the main component of brass, was not available to the Zulu people locally in any great quantity. Instead it was acquired through European traders at Delagoa Bay (Mozambique) and traded to the Zulu by Thonga people living in the bay’s vicinity. Purchased in the form of unworked blocks, the Zulu used brass to create neck, leg and arm rings, beads and studs. Rings of twisted or plaited wire (ubusenga) were made for the wrist, the upper arm and calf of the leg. The wire was wrapped around a core of plant fibre or animal hair to keep the ring flexible. Brass and copper beads were sometimes added as decoration. The rings became popular during the reign of the Zulu leader Cetshwayo (r.1872-1879). Today they are still worn but are more frequently made of lightweight aluminium. |
| Associated objects |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 1603B-1903 |
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| Record created | August 29, 2007 |
| Record URL |
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