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Beaded Collar (icangci)

Beaded Collar (icangci)

Unknown

An icangci collar, earned upon completion of one’s initiation into manhood, epitomized Xhosa masculinity. In 1962, Nelson Mandela wore an icangci and traditional attire to celebrate his culture and proclaim his opposition to Apartheid. The symbolism was so potent that the image of him so attired was banned in South Africa until 1990, when Mandela was released from prison.
Artist
Unknown (South African, Xhosa People)
Title
Beaded Collar (icangci)
Date
early to mid-20th century
Medium
Glass beads, string, and button
Dimensions
3 3/4 width; diam: 12 1/2 in. overall
Credit
Gift of Diane R. Wedner and Ron M. Ziskin
Accession No.
2005.46
Classification
Beadwork
Geography
South Africa

Related

In possession of private collector (Australia); before 2005, acquired by Ms. Stokes (Chicago, IL); by 2005, sold to Diane Wedner and Ron Ziskin (Toluca Lake, CA); 2005, gifted to the Elvehjem Museum of Art [now called Chazen Museum of Art]

  • Rarey, Matthew Francis and Henry John Drewal. "Never at Rest: African Art at the University of Wisconsin." African Arts, vol 53, no. 4 (2020): 68-85. fig. 7

The Chazen Museum of Art welcomes comments or inquiries about works in our collection. Please allow two–three weeks for a response. Chazen staff is not able to provide valuations or authentications and such inquiries cannot be answered.

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