Unknown Maker, Tanzanian

Young Woman's Skirt

Maker

Unknown Maker, Tanzanian

Culture

Tanzanian, Iraqw, East African

Title

Young Woman's Skirt

Year

1900-1939

Medium

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

Geography

Geographic Reference: Tanzania

Dimensions

71.1 x 152.4 cm (28 x 60 inches)

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Gift of Gail Martin

Object Number

2017.88.6

Type

Exhibition History

Repair and Design Futures
Oct 05, 2018 – Jun 30, 2019

Label copy

With prominent patches and raw, stitched mends, the Japanese smoked-hide hanten (short coat) reveals in its intense, layered life of use and evident care how much its wearer(s) valued it. The embellished, elaborately pieced leather Iraqw skirt, worn by a young woman during cultural rituals, speaks to the energy invested in beginnings and the perceived power of cobbling together bits of precious material endowed with an animal’s life force. [See also 2018.3].

Image use

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Tombstone

Unknown Maker, Tanzanian
Young Woman's Skirt, 1900-1939
Hide with glass-bead embellishment; pieced and mended
71.1 x 152.4 cm (28 x 60 inches)
Gift of Gail Martin 2017.88.6

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