Modesty Apron

Modesty Apron

Women's modesty apron, beadwork from Amazonia/South America. More research needed, but possibly Shipibo (upper Amazon in Peru) or another indigenous tribe of the Amazon. Woven on natural fiber cordage. Fiber is salmon pink in color, while the bead colors vary in white, blue, red, and yellow. Beadwork forms geometric designs such as zig-zags and lines. Main section of apron is shaped like a trapezoid, with fringe on the bottom edge and eight looped strands of blue beads attached to one upper corner of the apron (fastened with excess natural fiber strings). Slightly longer strands of the fiber are found on each corner of the apron, with the two bottom corners having longer fringe, alongside the two upper corners having longer strings to tie the apron together for use. The upper corner with the longest strings, to tie the apron to one's waist, have tassels at the bottom of each string. On both sides of the apron, there are two groups of bell-shaped seed pods fringe that are musical when rattled, with each group varying in number of seeds. In one of the bottom corners, there is a lone piece of fringe with a single red bead above a small knot, that does not match with the other beads.
  • Object: Modesty Apron
  • Artist: -
  • Circa: -
  • Dimensions: 11.5" L x 6.5" W (trapezoid section) 12" L (looped strings of blue beads)
  • Culture Area: Amazonia / South America
  • Cultural Group: Shipibo (?)
  • Cultural Context: -
  • Donor: Sharon Koch
  • Catalog #: 119.029