Neck Ornament

Typical of a neck collar from the Pokot people of Kenya. The collars were normally slathered in ochre and oil and worn to indicate the status of a woman's availability for marriage.

Purchased by the donor from a dealer in Montreal. Thought to be from Ethiopia; perhaps collected via southern Ethiopia, near the border with Kenya?

Neck ornament made of 18-19 strings of cylindrical beads creating a wide, circular necklace that fits close to the neck. The beads are threaded on fibre strands, held together by seven strips of hide interspersed at regular intervals, with thin hide ties at the ends. The beads are decorated with incised lines, and possibly lacquered?