Bride's Hat (Isicholo)

Artist:Zulu

Medium: Fiber, pigment, beads, metal, cloth

Geograhical Locations:

Dates:early to mid–20th century

Dimensions: 6 1/2 x 12 5/8 in. (16.5 x 32 cm)

Collections:

Accession Number: 2011.31.2

Catalogue Description:
Hat composed of a woven basketry frame, with fibers woven onto the outer surface. Fibers appear to have been dyed upon completion of the form, as a band of white fibers on back of hat and above cloth headpiece have not taken ochre pigment as elsewhere. A beaded band, with white, red, blue and black beads and metal studs has been affixed to the top of the hat. A woven cloth element, with alternating black/white rectangles, serves to secure the hat to head. A small tuft of black dyed fibers projects from the lower rear of hat. Condition: good.

Brooklyn Museum