ZULU MAIDEN'S NECKLACE

19th century. 15" length plus the suspension. About 18 beads wide, finger loomed on native twisted plant fiber string. Pewter trade button for securing. A couple of beads missing but virtually complete. Pink, blue and blue/white striped beads. Worn by a young woman to proclaim her availability for courtship and marriage. The plant fiber and button date this to before the Zulu War of 1879, when it probably was acquired by a British soldier.