Art Institute of Chicago

Woman's Apron

Grasslands

Mid–20th century

Attribution

Possibly Bourrah or Mokoko region, northern Cameroon Coastal West Africa

Medium

Cotton thread, glass beads, and cowrie shells

Physical dimensions

50.8 × 20.3 cm (20 × 8 in.) (e×cluding ties; including fringe)

Credit line

O. Renard Goltra Endowment

From the museum

Short aprons are important to the history of women’s dress in many parts of Africa. Though today such aprons are rarely seen outside of ceremonial settings, they were considered to be appropriate coverings well into the mid-20th century. Like other forms of dress, women’s aprons were made from a variety of materials and in a range of styles that often reflected the social status of the wearer. The widespread importation of glass beads beginning in the late 19th century led to a flowering of beadwork across West and Central Africa including the production of beaded women’s aprons. Such aprons demonstrate a range of abstract styles from rigidly structured to highly unstructured and explore variations in geometry, color, and texture. Different approaches to pattern represent different regional styles as well as possibly differences in age and marital status. This apron from northern Cameroon features a red border and multicolored beads set in vertical pairs in the main design. Larger cylindrical dark blue beads hang at the fringe, with cowrie shells tied alternately to one fringe element and then to two elements. The prevalence of light-colored beads in the central portion of this apron and the overall color diffusion produces a light and playful effect, much like that of an Impressionist painting.

Description: Art Institute of Chicago · CC BY 4.0