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1884.100.33

Male Kaffir doll.

1884.100.33

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Collection type
Object
Description
Male Kaffir doll.
Long description
From conservation card by Birgitte Speake 27.2.1996: An overstitched leather figure with a loincloth. Covered front (hair attached) and back (no hair). Large cloak hanging over both shoulders previously pinned, now held together with thread. Copper alloy earring from right ear. Hair covering head and on chin. Wire around waist (sinew) through thumb to waist on right hand. Bag slung around neck down the back. White leather eyes. [FC 30/01/2009]
Cultural groups
Nguni
Date / Period
Date made: Possibly before 1878
Date collected
?Prior to 1878
Acquisition information
Donated: 1884
Materials and processes
Material Animal Leather Skin, Material Pigment, Material Copper Alloy Metal, Material Wool Textile Animal, Material Sinew
Dimensions
Length 360 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1884.100.33 PR Cat other PR nos: 2565
Research and responses

For an account of such figures, see 'Souvenirs of Difference: Nineteenth-Century Leather Dolls from South Africa', by Anitra Nettleton, in South African Journal of Art & Architectural History, Vol. VI, nos. 1-4 (1996), pp. 26-39 (copy in RDF: Researchers: Nettleton). [JC 30 9 1997]

JG Wood 1870 Natural History of Man: Africa p 26 and 45: 'If a Kaffir should be too lazy to take the trouble of making so elaborate a set of 'tails' he merely cuts his 'isinene' out of a piece of skin. An example of this kind of apron is seen in the above illustration, which represents a pair of figures, a Kaffir and his wife, made by the natives out of leather. Here the male figure, on the right, is shown as wearing the isinene, and having besides a short kaross, or cloak, over his shoulders. These figures are in my own collection, and will be more particularly described when we come to the dress of Kaffir females ... A general idea of a Kaffir woman's dress may be gained by reference to the illustration at page 26, representing a Kaffir and his wife. He is shown as wearing the apron and a short kaross; while she wears a larger mantle, and the thong-apron which has just been described. She is also carrying a sleeping-mat; he of course not condescending to carry anything. Her ankles are bound with the skin ropes which have been already described; and a chain or two of beads complete her costume.' [AP Leverhulme project on founding collection 1995-1998]

Search terms: Toy and Game, Figure, Doll Figure