{"product_id":"zulu-beaded-necklace-black-and-white-south-africa-matter-collection-154416","title":"Zulu Beaded Necklace Black and White South Africa MATTER COLLECTION","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eZulu beadwork has been valued as currency, as decoration, and as a marker of identity. Disingwayo the uncle of Shaka and Shaka himself, controlled the bead trade and monopolized not only the beads themselves but also the colors and designs available to groups within Shaka's control. Beadwork became a status symbol and an important item of personal expression as well. Stylistic variations of beadwork such as pattern, color and color sequence indicate area or group affiliation. Colors and patterns take on more personally expressive meanings as in the case of Zulu “love letters.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eRecently beadwork has become a symbol of political identity as well, with color and pattern indicating political affiliation. Instead of beads being worn only by the conservative, traditional members of the community, wearing beadwork is increasingly being seen as reclaiming a cultural identity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eProvenance: Matter Collection\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\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\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease note, these are vintage and best for display. Threads fragile due to age.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"Polaris-Box\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_ActivatorWrapper_11hmp_57\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"PRODUCT.metafields.custom.necklace_length-anchor\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_RowWrapper_11hmp_6\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_FormFieldLabel_11hmp_32\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"Polaris-Text--root Polaris-Text--bodyMd\"\u003eNecklace Length: 12 inches around neck\u003cbr\u003eStrings 7 inches extra on each side to tie with\u003cbr\u003eBead Size: 2-5mm\u003cbr\u003eHangs down 17 inches\u003cbr\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\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003e154416\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"sku 154000","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51316695302439,"sku":"154416","price":128.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0826\/1015\/9911\/files\/IMG_3686_23648a8f-7b31-40f0-9337-691739dcd375.jpg?v=1776802226","url":"https:\/\/africadirect.com\/products\/zulu-beaded-necklace-black-and-white-south-africa-matter-collection-154416","provider":"Africa Direct","version":"1.0","type":"link"}