
Woman's Apron
<p>Short aprons are important to the history of women’s dress in many parts of Africa. While rarely worn today, except in ceremonial contexts, such aprons were considered appropriate coverings well into the mid-20th century. The prominence of beads and cowrie shells on aprons from northern Cameroon suggests an association with wealth. They present a highly original approach to pattern. This apron features openwork patterning that incorporates multicolored crisscrossing bands.</p>
Catalogue
- Year
- 1925
- Dimensions
- 28.6 × 68 × 1.3 cm (11 1/4 × 26 3/4 × 1/2 in.)
- Collection
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Artist
- Grasslands
Artist

Textile
Possibly Bourrah or Mokoko region, northern Cameroon
Full artist profile →More
More by Grasslands
Woman's Apron
1925 · Cotton thread, glass beads, and cowrie shells
Woman's Apron
1925 · Cotton thread, glass beads, and cowrie shells
Woman's Apron
1925 · Cotton thread, glass beads, and cowrie shells
Woman's Apron
1925 · Cotton thread, glass beads, and cowrie shells
Woman's Apron
1925 · Cotton thread, glass beads, and cowrie shells
Woman's Apron
1925 · Cotton thread, glass beads, and cowrie shells
Record
Verified by WattsOS- Artist
- Grasslands
- Year
- 1925
- Dimensions
- 28.6 × 68 × 1.3 cm (11 1/4 × 26 3/4 × 1/2 in.)
- Watts ID
- WW-1925-139896
Source
- Collection
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Source
- aic
- Reference
- View at source
- Status
- verified





