Object Details
- Label Text
- Earrings, particularly twisted gold hoops ubiquitous throughout western Africa since the first millenium AD, are an essential component of any Senegalese jewelry ensemble. Often paired with a matching pendant or necklace, the more ornate patterns reflect their European inspirations, incorporating delicate filigree work and crested with flowers and circlets of twisted wire design. These designs often bore French names, or French derivatives. Dangling versions, sometimes modeled after common necklace designs, are also popular and are known as "long-longs." Others are small hoops composed of coiled or twisted wire meant to be attached permanently to the ear and worn in multiples. These particular earrings are bright cut gold filigree cones with dangling elements, most likely modeled after Middle Eastern designs - not uncommon in modern Senegalese jewelry due to its relationship with Islam. Additionally, Senegalese traders make frequent trips to purchase jewelry in Mecca for sale in Senegal, and styles thereby filter into local designs.
- Description
- Gold dangling earrings of central filigree flowers on posts that are either impressed or incised and attached to filigree cones with thin rods with ball-shaped nodes at their terminus, attached around the circumference at the bottom of the cones. The filigree filling the cones is a repeating design of curves or waves. The earring backs are missing.
- Provenance
- Marian Johnson, purchased in Dakar, Senegal, 1963-late 20th century to 2012
- Content Statement
- As part of our commitment to accessibility and transparency, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art is placing its collection records online. Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks. If you see content requiring immediate action, we will do our best to address it in a timely manner. Please email nmafacuratorial@si.edu if you have any questions.
- Image Requests
- High resolution digital images are not available for some objects. For publication quality photography and permissions, please contact the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at https://africa.si.edu/research/eliot-elisofon-photographic-archives/
- Credit Line
- Gift of Dr. Marian Ashby Johnson
- Object number
- 2012-18-86
- Restrictions & Rights
- Usage conditions apply
- Type
- Jewelry
- Medium
- Gold
- Dimensions
- A: 6.5 x 1.7 x 1.7 cm (2 9/16 x 11/16 x 11/16 in.)
- B: 6.5 x 1.6 x 1.6 cm (2 9/16 x 5/8 x 5/8 in.)
- Geography
- Senegal
- See more items in
- National Museum of African Art Collection
- National Museum of African Art
- Topic
- Adornment
- Female use
- male
- floral
- flower
- Record ID
- nmafa_2012-18-86
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ys7a00f7d95-1a16-4364-bae3-07204560a0aa
