{"product_id":"xhosa-beaded-necklace-matter-collection","title":"Xhosa Beaded Necklace MATTER COLLECTION","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"541\"\u003eA superb necklace from the \u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eXhosa\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, traditionally worn around the neck. The Xhosa of South Africa’s Eastern Cape share a long and distinguished beadwork tradition comparable to that of the \u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eZulu\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e and \u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eNdebele\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e. In rural communities, beaded garments, bags, jewelry, and ceremonial objects continue to be made and worn. Xhosa beadwork necklaces are crafted from beads, shells, seeds, and bone, arranged in vibrant colors and intricate geometric patterns.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"543\" data-end=\"1046\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eMore than decorative adornment, these necklaces communicate social status, cultural identity, and stages of life, including marriage and mourning. Married women often wear elaborate, multi-strand designs, while unmarried women favor simpler styles. Each piece requires patience and skill, with beads carefully strung and woven into complex forms, sometimes finished with tassels or cowrie shells. Both beautiful and symbolic, Xhosa beadwork necklaces reflect a rich cultural heritage that endures today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance: Matter Collection\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cem\u003eFrom the collection of Margie and Phil Matter. Margie lived in South Africa, and later she and her husband Phil opened a gallery in Tucson. Everything in this collection was in their home for more than thirty years. Africa Direct recently bought the collection; at 95, Margie wants to share the things she has loved so much\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"Polaris-Box\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_ActivatorWrapper_131ul_95\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"PRODUCT.metafields.custom.necklace_length-anchor\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Edit Necklace Length metafield\" class=\"_ActivatorButton_131ul_99\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_RowWrapper_131ul_22\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_HoverContainer_131ul_8\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_FormFieldLabel_131ul_48\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"Polaris-Text--root Polaris-Text--bodyMd Polaris-Text--breakAlways\"\u003eNecklace Length: 16in x 2in. See the picture with penny for size comparison\u003cbr\u003eBead Size: 1mm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"Polaris-Text--root Polaris-Text--bodyMd Polaris-Text--breakAlways\"\u003eInside circumference is 4.5 Inches\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"Polaris-Text--root Polaris-Text--bodyMd Polaris-Text--breakAlways\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStand not included.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cstyle type=\"text\/css\"\u003e\u003c!--td {border: 1px solid #cccccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}--\u003e\u003c\/style\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003e153617\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan id=\"PING_CONTENT_MB_MAIN\" style=\"display: none;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"sku 153000","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51130422984999,"sku":"153617","price":210.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0826\/1015\/9911\/files\/IMG_6310.jpg?v=1773251744","url":"https:\/\/africadirect.com\/products\/xhosa-beaded-necklace-matter-collection","provider":"Africa Direct","version":"1.0","type":"link"}