This exhibition “Bead art in Africa” at the Rietberg Museum showcases a magnificent new collection of African bead-based art. Both the older and the more recent jewelry reveals the extraordinary creativity of southern, eastern and western Africa. We discover that beads are much more than commodities or a currency of exchange: they convey complex messages about the age, sex and identity of those who wear them. Produced in Europe for the African market from the 17^th century onwards, they can be seen as one of the first symbols of globalization.

“Bead art in Africa – The Mottas Collection” from 7^th June to 21^st October 2018