Zulu Woman's Beaded 'Itete' Marriage Apron and Photograph of a Descendant of the Owner

Flat-section shaft with three tiered cross-bars, the two lowest each with five lamp-bowls to the forward face; above, a U-shaped bar with a lamp bowl at each upper end; top of the shaft developing to an anthropomorphic torso with ellipsoid head and two narrow arms raised vertically; chain around the neck with hand-forged extinguishing spoon; mounted on a square base. 6.25 kg total, 132 cm including stand



From the private collection of Dr Hans-Joachim Koloss, Berlin, Germany, 1975-2002. Gorny & Mosch, Munich, Germany, auction 279, no.410. Accompanied by a copy of the Gorny & Mosch invoice and illustrated catalogue listing. Accompanied by a copy of the German cultural export licence.

The figure is probably a Nommo, a primordial ancestral spirit in Dogon cosmogony. A Nommo is usually considered to be amphibious, hermaphroditic and fish-like. They are typically depicted in Dogon art with a humanoid upper torso, and a fish-like lower torso and tail.

A fabric apron decorated with blue, black, red and white beads, and round metal buttons, with a beaded rope closure; some of the beadwork has come undone. 1.95 kg total, 108 cm long



Collected October 2003 near Ilenge mountain in the Msinga district of Zululand. Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK, formed since 1985.

Woven from Ncema grass with domed brass buttons, and colourful beads arranged in the 'isiphalafini' pattern. 475 grams total, belt: 171 cm long



Collected September 2003 in the mountains west of Pomeroy, in the Msinga district of Zululand. Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK, formed since 1985.