Bag, skin, glass beads, southern Namibia, mid to late 19th century

Bag, skin, glass beads, southern Namibia, mid to late 19th century

A Nama bag made of hare skin, with the front legs left on and closed with bands of beads, and the neck sewed up and decorated with a striped bead fringe. Nama men and women both dressed the skins of sheep, goats, calves, and some game animals and made a variety of small bags to contain all sorts of personal items. This example would have been used by a woman to hold her cosmetic containers and other items for grooming.

Said to have been collected by Mr J Chapman.

(SAMAE5151)
   

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