Modesty Apron

Description

Like other nomadic pastoralist groups in eastern Africa, the Turkana place a high value on costumes and adornments. These art forms are designed to convey one’s identity, social position, and family status. The upside-down U-shaped decorations at the lower edge of this apron were part of a design trend, indicating that a fashionable married woman wore it. Specific colors of beads arranged in particular patterns might also indicate details about the woman’s new husband’s village, family history, or status.

Provenance

The Art Institute of Chicago, by Mar. 14, 1994 [incoming receipt].

Modesty Apron

Turkana

1850–1950

Accession Number

129157

Medium

Animal hide and beads

Dimensions

Width at widest point 22". Width at top of object 16": 175.3 × 55.9 × 0.7 cm (69 × 22 × 1/4 in.); on plexi armature: 81.3 × 43.2 × 25.4 cm (32 × 17 × 10 in.)

Classification

leather/animal skin

Museum

The Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago, United States

Credit Line

Collection of the Art Institute of Chicago