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TAFF/201
Fra - Fra
Togo, Africa
Hunter's tunic or warrior's tunic
Cotton, leather, snake skin, turtle shell, paper
39 in. across shoulders and sleeves: 32 in. long
Good
$2800.
Naturally dyed homespun cotton with black vertical twined stripes. Thirty-two assorted mkisi of leather, snake skin, and turtle shell in assorted sizes and shapes embellish the front and back of the tunic. Some outer coverings have been removed by natural causes on the charms, exposing the complicated and rich wrappings of colored string, printed words, and other medicines inside. This provides a rare glimpse into the anatomy of nkisi making that contributes to this being an even more remarkable object.