Worn as a frontal attachment like a form of cache-sexe, this fine and delicate adornment would have formed part of a prestige regalia together with a large oval shaped fiber decoration that would have been placed to cover the woman's buttock.
Termed 'Negbe' and worn in the early part of last century by Mangbetu women during ceremonial occasions as a symbol of rank and prestige. Such small adornments, consisting of rolled banana fiber and raffer, are extremely rare.
Ex Sheikh Saoud Al-Thani Collection, London
Ex Congo Gallery, Pierre Loos, Brussels
Estimated Period: Early 20th Century
Length: 11.5 cm
Comes with Display Pad as Shown
(Click on Images to Enlarge)
