Fringe apron, Bari or Shilluk

Fringe apron, Bari or Shilluk
Other views of this artifact:


Accession Number:
1940.7.0363
Country:
?Sudan
Cultural Group:
Bari? Shilluk?
Date Made:
By 1940
Materials:
Animal Leather Skin
Process:
Knotted , Plaited , Dyed
Dimensions:
Belt L = 1890, W = 15-20, th = 1.3; fringe body W = 470, L = 240, w strips = 2 mm [RTS 15/9/2005].
Weight:
171.4 g
Other Owners:
The Council of Cheltenham Ladies College
PRM Source:
The Council of Cheltenham Ladies College
Acquired:
Loaned July 1940
Collected Date:
By 1940
Description:
Fringe apron consisting of a narrow strip of brown leather across the top, the ends of which are used to secure the garment around the waist (inside Pantone 4635C, exterior Pantone 411C). The central part of this has been used to attach a thick body, composed of a series of narrow brown leather strips (Pantone 411C), grouped into small bundles that have been hung over the leather band, adjacent to one another, and then secured beneath this band with 2 rows of oblique dark brown stitches (Pantone Black 7C), then a further 2 rows of lighter brown stitches. The long ends of the bundles hang down loosely beyond this point as a thick fringe, with the occasional knotted section. At one end of the fringed body, the darker brown thongs have been plaited together with some strips from the edge of the fringe and loosely tied off at the bottom. Parts of the body have been dyed a strong purple colour (Pantone 5125C). The apron is complete, and has a weight of 171.4 grams. The belt section is 1890 mm long, 15 to 20 mm wide and 1.3 mm thick; the fringed body is 470 mm wide with a drop of 240 mm; each constituent strip has a width of 2 mm.

This object was presented on loan to the Pitt Rivers Museum by The Council of Cheltenham Ladies College in 1940. It is said to have been worn by girls.

For similar fringe aprons, see 1903.16.111 (Shilluk), 1940.7.010 and 1934.8.45 (Bari), and 1940.7.095 (Imatong tribe). A Bari or Shilluk origin is also possible for this piece, but the purple colouring is not usual.

Rachael Sparks 30/9/2005.

Primary Documentation:
Accession Book Entry [Loans II, p. 332] - COUNCIL OF THE LADIES' COLLEGE, CHELTENHAM, CLOS. From AFRICA. [p. 333] 1940.7.0363 - Girl's fringed skirt, of leather strips. Probably SUDANESE.

Card Catalogue Entry - There is no further information on the catalogue card [RTS 28/1/2004].

Pitt Rivers Museum label - Girl's skirt, leather fringe. Probably SUDAN. Cheltenham Ladies' College [INSERT] 1940.7.063 [end insert] [brown luggage label, tied to object; RTS 15/9/2005].



 
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