Images(10)

The Chief Herdsman and His Cattle

Object Name7 Sculptures

Artist James Magagula (Swazi, b. 1964)

Assistant Zakhele Mdluli

Factory Ngwenya Glass (1987-)

Made FromGlass, Cloth, Rubber Band

Date2017-2018

TechniqueHot-sculpted

SizeOverall H: 30 cm, W: 70 cm, D: 70 cm

Accession Number2019.9.1

Credit LineGift of Ngwenya Glass

Curatorial Area(s)

Postwar and Contemporary

Exhibitions

New Glass Now (TRAVEL)

Independence

New Glass Now

CA+D Reopening 2020

Interpretive Notes

Web Text

Magagula, one of the head glassblowers at Ngwenya Glass in eSwatini (formerly Swaziland), uses craftsmanship and recycled glass to tell folkloric tales. The Chief Herdsman and His Cattle depicts a herd of cattle, a symbol of wealth traditionally used as payment between families when marital agreements are made. -Susanne Jøker Johnsen

Place Made

Kingdom of eSwatini, Ngwenya

Physical Description7 Sculptures, "The Chief Herdsman and His Cattle". Multicolored glass, cloth, rubber band; hot-sculpted. 7 multicolored hot-sculpted glass sculptures. (a) White and blue-spotted calf encased in colorless glass, (b) tan cow with blue and white spots, (c) blue and white cow encased with colorless glass, (d) brownish red bull encased in colorless glass, (e) large white and blue cow encased with colorless glass, (f) blue bull encased with colorless glass, (g-1) herdsman with traditional skirt and (g-2) beaded band and (g-3) black rubber neckpiece holding two red-orange, white, and colorless swirled staffs (g-4 and g-5); (g-6) extra red-orange, white, and colorless swirled staff; (h-1 and h-2) two original purple, white, and colorless swirled staffs.
Provenance

Provenance Remark

Provenance information not currently available online. Please check back in the coming weeks.