Beadwork apron, with a "Greek key" pattern in red on a pink background, with white top and bottom, a short red beadwork fringe, and tie cords. [N.B. 'DCF 2004-2006 What's Upstairs?' 26/7/2005]

Collection type: Object
Description: Beadwork apron, with a "Greek key" pattern in red on a pink background, with white top and bottom, a short red beadwork fringe, and tie cords. [N.B. 'DCF 2004-2006 What's Upstairs?' 26/7/2005]
Geographical reference: Guyana
Latin America and the Caribbean > South America > Guyana; Rupununi
Cultural groups: Macusi
Person: Field collector James Williams; PRM source Mrs James Williams
Date / Period: Date made: Before 1941
Date collected: By 1941
Acquisition information: Donated: 1941
Materials and processes: Material Bead, Material String, Process Beadwork, Process Woven, Process Strung
Dimensions: Length: max 255 mm, Width: max 510 mm
Object numbers: Accession number: 1941.8.229
Research and responses: Peter Riviere has supplied the following information about beaded women's aprons from British Guyana: 'On highdays and holidays, or festivals, the only covering which the females wore was the quieyoo, an article of dress, worked out of seeds of trees, about ten inches long, and six or eight broad, hung in front of the person by a string fastened round the loins. These are now tastefully worked with beads to represent the flowers, fruits and animals around the Indians in the bush, and will cost from six to ten shillings when sold to Europeans.' (p. 261, Rev Robert Duff, British Guiana, being notes on a few of its natural productions, industiral occupations, and social institutions. Thomas Murray & Co., Glasgow, 1866) (Laura Peers, 16/11/2007)

Search terms: Clothing, Bead, Ornament, Apron, Groin-cover, Waist Ornament