Triple Layer Necklace
This necklace is made from three "cords" of beaded material. The base is a structured fabric "tube" which has been filled to give it form and structure. The surface of these are what the beads have been attached to, and each beaded piece has also been attached to its neighbor to create a structured triple-layer necklace.
- Object: Triple Layer Necklace
- Artist: unknown
- Circa: unknown
- Dimensions: -
- Culture Area: Africa / Kenya
- Cultural Group: Maasai
- Cultural Context: In Maasai beading, each color has its own meaning related to a variety of cultural values and the material world. Red: bravery, unity, and blood. Often a cow is slaughtered when the Maasai meet and therefore unity is associated with red. White: peace, purity, and health. The association with health comes from white cows milk which the tribe drinks to stay healthy. Blue: energy and the sky. Orange: hospitality. Visitors are served cows milk from orange gourds. Yellow: also symbolizes hospitality. The animal skins on visitors beds are yellow. Green: health and land. Black: the people and the struggles they must endure, wisdom.
- Donor: Sharon Koch
- Catalog #: 2025.5.54