VTG 1940s-50s Maasai Beaded Wedding Necklace Kenya East Africa Hide Pendent 22"

Description

View VTG 1940s-50s Maasai Beaded Wedding Necklace Kenya East Africa Hide Pendent 22" with current marketplace pricing, condition, product images and item details. This is an authentic, museum-quality example of mid-20th-century East African ethnographic art. These white and blue glass buttons were highly prized trade commodities in the mid-century era, utilized by tribal beadworkers to signify marital status, spiritual protection, and family wealth. This is an authentic, museum-quality example of mid-20th-century East African ethnographic art. Handcrafted by the Maasai or closely related Samburu people of Kenya and Tanzania, this traditional wedding pendant necklace measures 22 inches in total length. The piece features a prominent hand-cut animal hide chest plaque adorned with ten vintage porcelain dish buttons. These white and blue glass buttons were highly prized trade commodities in the mid-century era, utilized by tribal beadworkers to signify marital status, spiritual protection, and family wealth. This specific type of Maasai/Samburu piece is not a standard necklace; it is a wedding chest pendant (often called an Olalo or wedding charm) . It was never intended to slip over the head or clasp tightly around the neck like Western jewelry. Instead, the short loop was designed to be pinned directly to a thick leather ceremonial garment, tied into the hair at the back of the head, or looped onto a heavy multi-layered collar structure worn by the bride. Flowing from the central hide plaque is a dramatic, cascading 17-strand waterfall fringe composed of tiny, vibrant glass seed beads. The color configuration features classic Maasai primary tones of deep cobalt blue, canary yellow, and ruby red, each holding deep cultural significance representing the sky, fertility, and strength. The fringe strands terminate beautifully in old white-heart red beads and hand-looped tassels designed to add movement and rhythm when worn during ceremonial rites of passage. This specific heirloom piece features an exceptional provenance, having been acquired directly in East Africa and brought back to the United States by a Christian missionary in the early 1950s. Meaning that this piece was most likely produed between the 1940s to early 1950s.Most people selling actual vintage Maasai items own the later 1970s or 1980s flat disk "collar" necklaces, which are far more common. The estate featured numerous artifacts, of which I purchased many treasures. The necklace is presented in its original, unaltered condition to preserve its historical integrity. It exhibits honest age wear and ceremonial patina that validates its mid-century origins, including one shortened decorative border strand and a clean break on the original blue glass loop button used for the neck closure. The hand-tied organic cording, thick cowhide backing, and beadwork remain structurally stable, making this a spectacular investment piece for serious collectors of authentic African tribal artifacts. Condition: Pre-owned. Category: Jewelry & Watches › Ethnic, Regional & Tribal › Necklaces & Pendants. Brand: Authentic Maasai.

Ethnic & Regional Style

African

Seller Warranty

No

Color

Multicolor

Main Stone Color

Multicolor

Materials sourced from

Kenya

Necklace Length

22 in

Vintage

Yes

Main Stone

Glass

Brand

Authentic Maasai

Type

Necklace

Era

Retro (1935-1950)

Main Stone Shape

Round

Style

Beaded

Tribal Affiliation

Maasai

Handmade

Yes