With its black and white contrasts and interplay of positive and negative surfaces, the beadwork of the Mbukushu and Yei of Botswana brings to mind the geometric designs of Op Art. In some pieces the pattern creates an almost three-dimensional effect. Because of their attractiveness and rarity, such works now fetch considerable prices on the art market. However, it is always difficult to distinguish between the works of the two peoples, whose style was also decisively influenced by a third people, the Tawana. Rudolf Pöch’s Tawana collection at the Weltmuseum Wien is used to demonstrate the mutual influence of the material culture of three peoples living in close proximity at the beginning of the 20th century.