Title: Back Apron (thimba)
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Permanent Link: http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00083100/00001
 Material Information
Title: Back Apron (thimba)
Physical Description: Leather, glass beads, metal studs, fiber 27 x 28 in. (68.6 x 71.1 cm)
Creator: Ndebele People, 20th Century
Donor: William D. and Norma Canelas Roth ( donor )
 Subjects
Subject: Exhibition -- Between the Beads: Reading African Beadwork
Spatial Coverage: Africa -- South Africa
 Notes
Abstract: The thimba, or back apron, complements a type of skirt worn on the front, either an itshogolo or a mapoto, which identifies the wearer as a married woman. The top of the thimba is rolled over a straw core, and heavily beaded with imported glass seed beads and brass beads. The use of brass for prestigious items of personal adornment is documented among Nguni peoples (forebears of the Ndebele) in the 16th century, and brass beaded garments were commonly worn in the 19th century. Despite their opulent appearance, the thimba were rarely seen since married women typically wore long capes that completely covered them. This thimba has predominantly white beads, indicating it was made in the early or mid-20th century.
 Record Information
Bibliographic ID: UF00083100
Volume ID: VID00001
Source Institution: Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art
Holding Location: Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art
Rights Management: All rights reserved by the source institution and holding location.
Resource Identifier: 2006.45.19

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