Pendant

Object Details

Baule artist

Label Text

The most skilled African artisans created jewelry from the most precious metals--brass, copper, silver and gold. While bracelets, pendants and earrings were decorative, they were also store currency, representing the accumulated wealth of individuals or families.

Although attributed to the Baule, this pendant and other forms of jewelry made by Baule metalsmiths could have circulated in the coastal region of Côte d'Ivoire, where gold jewelry was a prized possession of wealthy families, and public exhibitions of acquired gold served to increase one's status.

Description

Gold alloy flat, rectangular pendant with central coiled tube and overall parallel braided pattern.

Provenance

Mr. and Mrs. Edwin E. Hokin, Highland Park, Illinois, -- to 1970

Exhibition History

From Slavery to Freedom, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Cincinnati, July 2004-October 2007

The Art of African Currency, International Monetary Fund, Washington, D.C., April 4-November 22, 2002

Metalwork of the Ivory Coast, National Ornamental Metal Museum, Memphis, April 10-May 29, 1994

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 Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks.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 Mr. and Mrs. Edwin E. Hokin

Mid 20th century

Object number

70-37-14

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply

Type

Jewelry

Medium

Gold alloy

Dimensions

H x W x D: 5.6 x 4.8 x 0.6 cm (2 3/16 x 1 7/8 x 1/4 in.)

Geography

Côte d'Ivoire

See more items in

National Museum of African Art Collection

National Museum of African Art

Topic

Status

Adornment

male

Record ID

nmafa_70-37-14

Metadata Usage (text)

Usage conditions apply

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ys7d82bd882-592b-4c8d-a2f1-f4b57104cc93