1781 Rare Vintage Kuba Beaded Belt with Shells Less than $2500 approx 145cm x 97cm

approx 145cm x 97cm

Superbly Embroidered Dowry Bag with dense work on both sides

Comparison with other similar examples suggests that this is pre 1900

Acquired from a museum store

1781 Rare Vintage Kuba Beaded Belt with Shells Less than $2500 approx 145cm x 97cmVintage Kuba beaded belt with uncommon Congo cowrie shells With beads in three colors sand cowrie shells of two types from the Kuba People. This belt is a part of a larger ensemble Note the two large knots. Note also the clusters of unique cowrie shells with undulating uneven edges (last few photos have details). The inclusion of these twenty+ shells elevated the value of the belt even at the time of production. Because cowrie shells embodied wealth,