Three piece dress, consisting of a top (part a), skirt (part b) and large shoulder cloth (part c). All pieces are bright yellow with repeating groups of red, dark blue, black, yellow and light green stripes. The top has a scoop neckline that then plunges down in an oval-shape. There are two large rectangular pockets on both sides near the bottom edge. The neckline, sleeve edges, pocket openings and the hem all have scalloped borders embroidered in black thread. There are small slits on both sides at the bottom. The skirt is a rectangular piece of fabric; the right, left and top edges have a white-dotted yellow and dark blue border. The bottom edge only has a white-dotted dark blue border. Below the top border there is the repeating group of stripes running horizontally, a plain yellow band, and then a strip of white-dotted yellow cloth, bordered with white-dotted dark blue bands. Below that there are seven vertical rows of the repeating grouped stripes. Over the grouped stripes, in the bottom third of the skirt, a pattern is embroidered in black and white thread. The top edge is plain yellow fabric. The large shoulder cloth is a rectangular piece of fabric folded in half with nine white-dotted dark blue ties along the top edge on the left side. From the front, the top and left sides have a white-dotted yellow and dark blue border. The bottom edge only has a white-dotted dark blue border. Below the top border there is the repeating group of stripes running horizontally, a plain yellow band, and then a strip of white-dotted yellow and dark blue cloth. Running through this top portion are nine white-dotted dark blue strands, directly below the ties. There are another seven identical strands overtop of the repeating striped group and yellow band on the right edge of the front of the shoulder cloth. Below that section are three and a half vertical rows of the repeating grouped stripes. Overtop of the stripes, in the bottom third of the shoulder cloth, a pattern is embroidered in black and white thread.

• History Of Use

  A modern adaptation of a traditional Venda dress form. Part c would be worn like a cape or pashmina. It can be worn above the shoulders or crossing the chest (one side above the shoulder and the other below the arm).

• Iconographic Meaning

  The colour yellow is a festive colour associated with wealth and nature's bounty.

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• Type of Item dress
• Culture Venda
• Material cotton fibre
• Measurements height 83.9 cm, width 108.3 cm (part a) height 89.3 cm, width 155.8 cm (part b) height 94.8 cm, width 77.7 cm (part c)

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• Previous Owner Marguerite Witvoet
• Received from Marguerite Witvoet

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• Made in South Africa

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• Ownership Date before February 28, 2019
• Acquisition Date on February 28, 2019

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• Item Classes textiles
• Condition good
• Accession Number 3349/0001 a-c