Large Beaded Collar / Breastplate – Kamba – Kenya – Blue and Beige Beads (No reserve price)
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€ 3
No reserve price
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Selected by Dimitri André
Holds a postgraduate degree in African studies and 15 years experience in African art.
Estimate € 170 - € 210
 | €3 |
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Large Beaded Collar / Breastplate – Kamba – Kenya, an original Kamba beaded collar from Kenya with provenance of being personally collected in Kenya by the present owner in the early 1990s, in good condition.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Large Beaded Collar / Breastplate – Kamba – Kenya – Blue and Beige Beads
Origin: Kenya
People: Kamba
Type: Beaded collar / breastplate
Materials: Glass and plastic beads, fibre, hide and vegetal structural elements
Dimensions: Approximately 24 cm outer diameter
Period: Second half of the 20th century
Provenance: Personally collected in Kenya by the present owner in the early 1990s
Custom display stand: Not included
A beautiful Kamba beaded collar or breastplate from Kenya, distinguished by its harmonious combination of deep blue, warm beige and earthy brown tones.
The ornament is composed of numerous concentric rows of closely arranged beads, forming a broad circular structure around a central opening.
Deep indigo and cobalt-blue beads alternate with softer shades of beige, light brown and reddish-brown, while a few small red beads provide subtle accents.
The carefully balanced arrangement of colours creates an attractive visual rhythm, giving the piece a strong graphic and almost architectural presence.
The rows are held together by transverse structural strips and traditional fibre bindings, some of which remain clearly visible around the fastening.
The beads display variations in colour, surface texture and wear, adding to the character and authenticity of this traditional ornament.
Despite its relatively modest diameter of 24 cm, the collar possesses a remarkable decorative presence, combining the richness of East African beadwork with a particularly elegant and restrained colour palette.
Cultural context
Beadwork occupies an important place in the traditions of the Kamba people of Kenya.
Beaded ornaments were worn during dances, celebrations and other social occasions, contributing to personal adornment and expressions of age and social identity.
Large circular collars are among the distinctive forms of East African beadwork, combining carefully selected colours with a construction that is both flexible and visually structured.
Condition
Good overall condition, with surface wear, minor abrasions, small irregularities and age-related marks consistent with use.
Some old fibre ties and structural elements remain visible, particularly around the fastening.
Please examine the photographs carefully, as they form an integral part of the description.
Included
The beaded collar only.
The transparent display stand visible in the photographs is not included.
Seller's Story
For more than 30 years, I have collected African art with a focus on authenticity, symbolism, and refined craftsmanship.
Graduated as an engineer from École Centrale de Paris, I combine the rigor of my technical background with a lifelong passion for artistic expression and cultural heritage.
Founder of AS’ART (dedicated to contemporary handmade design) and Artifacts Gallery (devoted to ancient tribal art and ethnographic objects), I bring together two worlds: the vitality of today’s artisans and the timeless heritage of Africa’s past.
Every piece I present is chosen for its artistic quality, cultural significance, and emotional power.
Large Beaded Collar / Breastplate – Kamba – Kenya – Blue and Beige Beads
Origin: Kenya
People: Kamba
Type: Beaded collar / breastplate
Materials: Glass and plastic beads, fibre, hide and vegetal structural elements
Dimensions: Approximately 24 cm outer diameter
Period: Second half of the 20th century
Provenance: Personally collected in Kenya by the present owner in the early 1990s
Custom display stand: Not included
A beautiful Kamba beaded collar or breastplate from Kenya, distinguished by its harmonious combination of deep blue, warm beige and earthy brown tones.
The ornament is composed of numerous concentric rows of closely arranged beads, forming a broad circular structure around a central opening.
Deep indigo and cobalt-blue beads alternate with softer shades of beige, light brown and reddish-brown, while a few small red beads provide subtle accents.
The carefully balanced arrangement of colours creates an attractive visual rhythm, giving the piece a strong graphic and almost architectural presence.
The rows are held together by transverse structural strips and traditional fibre bindings, some of which remain clearly visible around the fastening.
The beads display variations in colour, surface texture and wear, adding to the character and authenticity of this traditional ornament.
Despite its relatively modest diameter of 24 cm, the collar possesses a remarkable decorative presence, combining the richness of East African beadwork with a particularly elegant and restrained colour palette.
Cultural context
Beadwork occupies an important place in the traditions of the Kamba people of Kenya.
Beaded ornaments were worn during dances, celebrations and other social occasions, contributing to personal adornment and expressions of age and social identity.
Large circular collars are among the distinctive forms of East African beadwork, combining carefully selected colours with a construction that is both flexible and visually structured.
Condition
Good overall condition, with surface wear, minor abrasions, small irregularities and age-related marks consistent with use.
Some old fibre ties and structural elements remain visible, particularly around the fastening.
Please examine the photographs carefully, as they form an integral part of the description.
Included
The beaded collar only.
The transparent display stand visible in the photographs is not included.
Seller's Story
For more than 30 years, I have collected African art with a focus on authenticity, symbolism, and refined craftsmanship.
Graduated as an engineer from École Centrale de Paris, I combine the rigor of my technical background with a lifelong passion for artistic expression and cultural heritage.
Founder of AS’ART (dedicated to contemporary handmade design) and Artifacts Gallery (devoted to ancient tribal art and ethnographic objects), I bring together two worlds: the vitality of today’s artisans and the timeless heritage of Africa’s past.
Every piece I present is chosen for its artistic quality, cultural significance, and emotional power.
Details
Condition
Good condition
Title of artwork
Large Beaded Collar / Breastplate – Kamba – Kenya – Blue and Beige Beads
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
