Royal Belt (yet)
Unknown Artist
possibly early 1900s
Medium
Plant fiber, rawhide or leather, glass beads, seashells, cowrie shells, cloth, and colorant
Dimensions
l. 139.5 cm
Classification
Garment
Department
African Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
John L. Severance Fund
Accession Number
1994.87
About this artwork
Attributed to Kuba peoples of southeast Democratic Republic of Congo, this prestige belt boasts superb craftsmanship. The accumulation of a variety of materials indicates the high status of its wearer. It is made from leather strips and finely accessorized with a combination of intricately patterned bead designs, cowries, seashells, and bells. It would have been worn over a large raffia skirt by a man during ceremonial occasions. It was acquired from the Belgian dealer Jacques Hautelet in 1994.