Pendant

Object Details

Wolof artist

Label Text

For many Senegalese women the ideal necklace incorporates three pendants—one central component flanked by two complementary, smaller pendants. A string of handmade beads, sometimes with a back pendant attached and worn at the nape of the neck, perfect the ensemble. The central portion of the necklace, known as a kostine, consists of delicate, ornate filigree and requires a great deal of skill and craftsmanship. According to Johnson, this particular style of necklace is a modified form of the kostine known as a bount u sindoné.

Description

Large gold-plated silver alloy pendant in a variation on the basket of flowers design and heavily decorated with filigree and openwork, with a central, tiered flower. The overall shape of the pendant is a half circle subdivided into 11 wedges with teardrop shaped filigree designs, followed by smaller rosettes inside of them and emanating from the central rosette. The back of the pendant is solid, with modified hooks showing that illustrate how the elements are attached to it. Half of the chain is missing from the proper left side.

Provenance

Marian Johnson, purchased in Dakar, Senegal, 1963-late 20th century to 2012

Exhibition History

Good As Gold: Fashioning Senegalese Women, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., October 24, 2018-February 2, 2020; North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh, September 16, 2020-January 3, 2021

African Mosaic: Selections from the Permanent Collection, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., November 19, 2013–August 12, 2019 (installed June 12, 2015-August 1, 2017)

Published References

Maples, Amanda, Ashby Johnson, Marian, and Dumouchelle, Kevin D., 2018, Good As Gold, Washington, D.C.: NMAfA, Smithsonian, illustrated p. 65 and on cover

Content Statement

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Credit Line

Gift of Dr. Marian Ashby Johnson

Mid-20th century

Object number

2012-18-19

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply

Type

Jewelry

Medium

Gold-plated silver alloy

Dimensions

Pendant only: 8.8 x 11.1 x 2.9 cm (3 1/2 x 4 3/8 x 1 1/8 in.)

Chain: 21.2 cm (8 3/8 in.)

Geography

Senegal

See more items in

National Museum of African Art Collection

Object Name

bount u sindoné

kostine

National Museum of African Art

Topic

Adornment

Female use

male

floral

flower

Record ID

nmafa_2012-18-19

Metadata Usage (text)

Usage conditions apply

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ys7402878c1-3f69-4f29-83f7-d89c0f5f7395