Spoon (Izinkezu)

Zulu people, Mhlabatini, South Africa, African

Mid to late 20th century

  • Titles Spoon (Izinkezu) (Descriptive)
  • Artist Zulu people, South Africa
  • Medium wood
  • Dimensions 14 3/4 x 2 3/4 x 1 1/2 in. (37.5 x 7 x 3.8 cm)
  • Credit Line Museum purchase with funds from the Traditional Arts Acquisition Fund, 1989.84.1
  • Work Type spoon
  • Classification Tools & Equipment

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Dark brown glossy vessel has rounded bottom which is larger than top half of vessel; mid-point marked by raised bands. Shoulder has herringbone pattern.
Brown, ovoid vessel has flat bottom, everted rim, and four strap handles. Body of vessel covered with overall incised geometric pattern and parallel vertical rows of raised bumps.
Neckring (Cholwane or Holwane), Ndebele people, Transvaal, Area of Mapoch, South Africa, South Africa, African, straw, glass beads, metal, tack
Headdress of burlap and animal hide, front beaded with red, blue, white, and green glass beads in lozenge and triangle patterns. Five cowrie shells and four wooden peg beads attached on top of surface of glass beads. Wooden pegs, joined in pairs, cover small lozenges of green glass beads. White, brown, black, and blue feathers cover top, sides and back of headdress in spherical shape (slightly flattened in back). Five short wooden dowels attached to back, arranged two, one, two.