1781 Rare Vintage Kuba Beaded Belt with Shells

Vintage 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, power, fertility and protection, and rarer shells like this set were traded for higher amounts.

The shells in the clusters are most probably 'monetaria moneta tuberculosa'which is not as common as the smooth ones without the bumps. The value of smaller new ones is about $5 each.

Has missing shells & beads - otherwise in good condition.

Estimated to be from the 1940s

Acquired from a well-known London author-traveler-collector

Will make a fabulous display!

 
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This item has spent a lifetime being used for the purpose of its creation with the original artist/user. Signs of this life lived heartily may be present on the piece in the form of stains, thread loss, loose threads, holes, tears, color run and other imperfections. Therefore the condition must be assumed to be “not” perfect. More photos of such imperfections will be provided on request.

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