Collection record · Dress & textiles
Hat (Kalyeem)
The collection record classifies this work as garment. It is dated possibly early 1900s. Recorded culture or place: Africa, Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kuba-style maker.
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A closer look at the details.
- Museum title
- Hat (Kalyeem)
- Date
- possibly early 1900s
- Culture / origin
- Africa, Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kuba-style maker
- Materials and technique
- Raffia, glass beads, cowrie shells, cloth (including wool), thread, and copper alloy
- Dimensions
- Overall: 29 x 23 x 23 cm (11 7/16 x 9 1/16 x 9 1/16 in.)
- Artist / maker
- Not specified by the museum
- Museum
- The Cleveland Museum of Art
- Accession number
- 1998.29
FROM THE MUSEUM
In the museum’s words
The following description is reproduced from the Cleveland Museum of Art’s original English record.
Kuba men (and some women) show their title and status with hats and hat accessories. The male owner of this heavily beaded and shell-covered hat (kalyeem) had a senior title. A simple coiled basketry hat forms its foundation (similar to 1915.465). Fabric panels stitched with zig-zagging white and blue beads edged in cowries hang from the top. White bead strands with cowrie shells flow downward, pushed out over the forehead by a large brim. Technically and aesthetically, beaded Kuba hats and masks have much in common; artists specializing in beading techniques had the skills to make both, using imported beads and shells.
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Text and image sources
The Cleveland Museum of Art · John L. Severance Fund · CC0
The summary is based on public collection data. Refer to the museum’s latest record for the title, date and attribution.
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