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Art Institute of Chicago

Spotted

Tekna — Head Ornament

Tekna

Head Ornament

1960

In contrast with the silver head ornaments of the Imazighen peoples of Algeria and Morocco on display nearby, those of the Tekna and other Hassaniya-speaking peoples are made of finely knotted and twisted horsehair or synthetic hair that is decorated with beads in a variety of materials—ebony, silver, coral, glass, and shell— and semiprecious stones. Such ornaments blend into the hairlike wigs of those who wear them.

Medium
Nylon and polypropylene hair, amber, coral, shell, silver, carnelian, and glass beads
Dimensions

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About this work

Tekna, Head Ornament, 1960

In contrast with the silver head ornaments of the Imazighen peoples of Algeria and Morocco on display nearby, those of the Tekna and other Hassaniya-speaking peoples are made of finely knotted and twisted horsehair or synthetic hair that is decorated with beads in a variety of materials—ebony, silver, coral, glass, and shell— and semiprecious stones. Such ornaments blend into the hairlike wigs of those who wear them.

Medium
Nylon and polypropylene hair, amber, coral, shell, silver, carnelian, and glass beads
Dimensions
26.7 x 19.1 cm
Year
1960
Seen at
Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL

Related themes

Small Scale, Glass, Post-War, Modern, Unique Work

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Collected by

Art Institute of Chicago