Rare Old Zulu Love Letter Collar Necklace South Africa 19" L
Handcrafted by skilled Zulu artisans in South Africa, this old Zulu love letter necklace consists of intricate beadwork in these colors: white, red, royal blue, Italian "greasy" yellow, pink and black (See Zulu beadwork "Vocabulary" below). Each bead is carefully strung together to form a beautiful message of love, traditionally for a significant other, but the necklace could also be given to a family member or friend. This is a craft that has been passed down through generations and has deep meaning within Zulu culture. It is made with high-quality glass beads in a very tight weave and is the same on both sides--completely reversible.. The closure is a loop and pointed ball buttons, which research tells me are made of Bakelite (originally invented in 1930 and sold through the 1950s). The Zulu beadwork
loveletter is not only a beautiful piece of art but also a meaningful symbol of
love and connection. It can be worn as a choker or collar or simply displayed as a piece of African tribal art.
Zulu beadwork
'vocabulary'
-White beads (obumhlophe): purity, love, honesty
-Black beads (obumnyama): The oxhide skirt - isidwaba, which is coloured black and worn by married women: 'I am
ready to marry' but also mourning, sadness
-Red beads (obubomvu): passion, tears, desire but also anger and pain
-Pink beads (Obumpofu): Poverty (she loves him even though he is poor)
-Yellow beads (Obuncombo/Obuphuzl): wealth, fertility
-Green beads (Obuluhlaza): new life, fertility but also sickness and jealousy
-Royal blue (Obujoli) Loyalty
-Turquose blue (Obulwandle) love like the sea, clean and pure*
*By Dr
David Craig Dorward (retired), formerly Director of the African Research
Institute, LaTrobe University. (Published on the Australian Museums Victoria Collections web page in an article by Dorward, D. and McFadzean, M. (2018) Northern Nguni Zulu Beadwork - Courtship Meanings in Museums Victoria Collections
Condition: Excellent. Kept in a box for decades. Never worn or displayed.
Approximate Measurements
Overall Length: 19 inches
Pendant/Amulet: 2 1/2 inches wide & 2 1/4 inches long
Strap: 3/4 inch wide
Shipping: Will be shipped by USPS Ground Advantage to addresses within the continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii & Puerto Rico. International shipping is available at extra cost through the eBay international shipping program