1988.123.McD Ceremonial jacket (sape manik)

This beaded sleeveless jacket features a dynamic stylized figure posed squatting with upraised arms and splayed legs. Such beings, called kahle'tau, are considered to be helpful. They accompanied and served aristocrats on their souls' journeys to the afterlife. The kahle'tau is surrounded by an interlocking mesh of protective designs. This jacket once belonged to a warrior, who wore it on important ceremonial occasions.

Roslyn A. Walker, Label text, 2016.

1988: Dallas Museum of Art, gift of The Eugene and Margaret McDermott Art Fund, Inc., purchased from Steven G. Alpert, Dallas, Texas [1]

Notes:

The main source for this provenance is the invoice dated November 29, 1988, in the Collections Records object file (1988.123.McD).

[1] Works of art given or purchased by The Eugene and Margaret McDermott Art Fund, Inc., a non-profit organization, are placed in the custody of the DMA for the purpose of public display on the premises of the Museum or in other recognized art galleries or museums. The title to all works of art purchased (or otherwise acquired) by the McDermott Art Fund remains with the Fund.

Apply to objects where number equals 1988.123.McD