Arm Ring
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 brass wire (ubusenga) such as this example were made for the wrist, the upper arm and calf of the leg. The brass 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 brass wire (ubusenga) such as this example were made for the wrist, the upper arm and calf of the leg. The brass 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 brass wire, cast brass beads |
| Brief description | One of three arm rings of coiled brass wire with brass beads, Zulu, South Africa, ca. 1870-1880 |
| Physical description | Arm ring of brass wire coiled about a ring of horsehair, gripped at short intervals by brass rings. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Credit line | Bequeathed by Edmond Dresden |
| Object history | Accessions register entry - 'Three Bracelets of brass wire coiled about a ring of horsehair, gripped at short intervals by brass rings. / South African. / Diam. Each about 3 1/4 in.' |
| 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 brass wire (ubusenga) such as this example were made for the wrist, the upper arm and calf of the leg. The brass 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 | |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 324A-1904 |
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| Record created | September 26, 2007 |
| Record URL |
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