Textiles & Costume
Hat (Kalyeem)
MetalworkGlassCostume
Details
- Author / creator
- Africa, Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kuba-style maker
- Object type
- Costume
- Date or period
- possibly early 1900s
- Dimensions summary
- Overall: 29 × 23 × 23 cm
- Place of origin
- Africa
- Acquisition method
- Purchase
- Credit line
- Purchased with the Public appeal (1998), 1998
- Fibres
- Wool
- Plant fibre
- Beads
- Structure
- Plain weave
About this object
Kuba men (and some women) show their title and status with hats and hat accessories. The male owner of this heavily beaded and shell-covered hat (kalyeem) had a senior title. A simple coiled basketry hat forms its foundation (similar to 1915.465). Fabric panels stitched with zig-zagging white and blue beads edged in cowries hang from the top. White bead strands with cowrie shells flow downward, pushed out over the forehead by a large brim. Technically and aesthetically, beaded Kuba hats and masks have much in common; artists specializing in beading techniques had the skills to make both, using imported beads and shells.
Materials and technique
Raffia, glass beads, cowrie shells, cloth (including wool), thread, and copper alloy
