Beaded Ndebele Ceremonial Doll

Mid-20th Century
$228 USD SOLD
Dimensions
W: 2.5" D: 2.0" H: 6.5"
Materials
Cotton
Bead
Wood
Collection #
CFC558C
Estimated Shipping
$20

A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king). As beads become gradually more accessible throughout the 19th century, they began to displace the organic materials used in traditional art and attire.

This colorful example of African beadwork is a ceremonial doll of the Ndebele people of South Africa. These dolls are made with tall, cylindrical wooden bodies, wrapped in cotton and highly decorated with metal rings and dense beadwork.

One of several dolls used in Ndebele culture to commemorate transitional phases of life, a ceremonial doll such as this is used as part of courtship traditions. To indicate that he's ready for marriage, a young man will place the doll on his partner's doorstep. If she accepts his proposal, she'll return the doll to his home. Stylistically similar to the smaller dolls used as child's toys, ceremonial dolls represent a brief moment in the woman's life when she is still a girl, yet about to be married.

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What They're Saying

Elizabeth Krueger | Elizabeth Krueger Design

“PAGODA RED was extremely supportive in helping to pull accessory options together for the Lake Forest Showhouse. After providing them with details and our vision on how we were looking to finish our space, Laurene helped curate options that made it easy for us to edit and finalize. It's also no surprise that the unique pieces we used in our showhouse space were some of the first to sell.”

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