A vibrant beaded cache-sexe from Cameroon, composed of dense glass beadwork in bold blocks of orange, cobalt blue, turquoise, and brown. The lower edge is finished with cowrie shells.
Often translated from French as a “modesty covering,” the cache-sexe is more than a simple garment. In Cameroonian and broader Central African contexts, pieces like this belong to a world of ceremonial adornment, dance, fertility symbolism, and protective display. The cowrie shells evoke wealth, femininity, and spiritual potency, while the saturated color and tactile beadwork give the object a powerful sculptural presence.
Likely dating to the mid 20th century, this piece carries signs of use and age, including scattered bead loss, worn fibers, and patina to the shells, all contributing to its character.
A striking object for display, equally at home framed, mounted, or layered among textiles and ethnographic works.
Size: 19" x 8"
Age: Mid 20th Century
Origin: Cameroon
Type: Beaded Apron
Material: Glass beads, cotton, cowrie shells
Condition: Very good
TX746
