GJPaw Auctions is pleased to offer a stunning Pikuran Cache Sexe or Fertility Apron, from the Kirdi people, Cameroon, West Africa. Kirdi (The term comes from the Kanuri word meaning "pagan") is a broad, collective name for a number of people groups living in northern Cameroon, southeastern Nigeria, and southwestern Chad. The Kirdi create cache sexes, or loin cloths, worn by women and girls for protection and fertility, and to attract attention. Different cache-sex styles identify group affiliations, age grades, and special conditions such as puberty, marriage, and widowhood. The Cameroon government has long outlawed the wearing of cache-sexes, but the practice continues under the cover of long robes. The glass beaded aprons reveal a variety of bead styles. Cowrie shells are usually hung at the bottom of the apron.  It is claimed that the lower portion of the apron is deliberately cut on a wedding night to symbolize the consummation of the marriage. Glass beads in particular as decoration and symbols of power, authority and social status, have a long and fabled history in African art. Historians believe these rare and valuable gems known as “trade beads” made their way into Africa overseas or through camel caravan routes that connected ancient Egypt and the Mediterranean. The beads we see today in most 20th century African art are predominantly Dutch and Italian glass trade beads. This very beautiful piece features highly stylized images of traditional village huts and a domesticated animal (cow?), together with color banding which echoes the Cameroon national flag. The color yellow is symbolic of the sun with obvious allusions to fecundity when seen in conjunction with an animal which provides milk as a food source. This highly distinctive cache sexe measures 19.5 inches in width by 7.5 inches in length (49.5 cm by 19.0 cm). It is in very good condition and dates to the late 20th century. It is a fine collector’s piece for anyone interested in African textiles or adornment. It is guaranteed authentic.

GJPaw Auctions has been in the Art business for over 35 years and is now expanding its operation to eBay. Our goal is to bring the same experience and excitement of collecting that we have been delivering in-person to collectors across the globe at Primitive in Chicago.  Every object we sell online has been carefully hand-selected with special attention to detail, quality, and significance. We ship worldwide. Add GJPaw to Sellers you Follow and please take a moment to look at our other auction items.

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