Shweshwe mask

Shweshwe is a brightly dyed, South African factory-made textile printed with geometric patterns used to make traditional clothing for special occasions, and also contemporary fashions. During the pandemic this distinctive, locally manufactured, fabric has been widely re-purposed to create protective masks. Alumni from the British Museum’s International Training Programme suggested the Museum acquire a shweshwe mask to form part of a global picture reflecting the response to the pandemic.

Mzansi Beautiful, South Africa

2020

Designed in Woodstock, Cape Town, South Africa

Made in Woodstock, Cape Town, South Africa

Printed polyester, rubber elastic, machine sewn

The British Museum
2021,2011.1

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