SKU: 160908-09

African Yoruba Beaded Belt

$395.00

Shipping calculated at checkout.

Mid 20th Century

Hand Crafted from Hide Leather with Glass Seed Beads in a Snake and Bird Motif Design and Adorned with Sea Shells

In Very Good Condition

African Yoruba beaded belts are intricate examples of traditional Nigerian craftsmanship from the Yoruba people, renowned for their masterful beadwork.These belts, often called sashes, diviners' belts, or kings' belts, are handcrafted using colorful glass beads (sometimes with cowrie shells for edging or accents). They feature elaborate designs like animals (e.g., alligators/crocodiles, snakes, lizards, birds), geometric patterns, faces, masks, or symbolic motifs. The base is typically fabric or woven material, with beads sewn in dense, vibrant patterns that signify wealth, status, and spiritual power. Beads and cowries historically represented prosperity in Yoruba culture.

Condition: Very Good

Tribe: African

Year Range: 1925 - 1950

Region: Africa

Shipping

U.S. Shipping: One Flat Rate Per Order

Every U.S. order is packed in-house at our gallery and ships insured via USPS or UPS, with signature required on delivery. You pay one flat rate for the whole order, never per item:

  • Fetishes: $8
  • Jewelry & Pottery: $15
  • All other pieces: $20

Buying from more than one category? You only pay the highest rate in your cart, so eight fetishes and a pair of earrings ship together for just $15.

Oversized Pieces

Large or heavy pieces, such as big pottery, baskets, rugs and framed art, are custom-packed and shipped at actual cost. As a guide, that's anything needing a box larger than 12" × 12" × 12" or weighing over 5 lbs. At checkout, choose Oversized – Shipping Invoiced Separately and we'll email your shipping invoice, usually within 24 hours. Contact us for an estimate before you buy.

International

International orders are welcome! We quote international shipping separately and invoice the actual postage after purchase. Contact us beforehand if you'd like an estimate.