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

Small gold alloy pendant in the form of a turtle with extended neck and serrated edge shell. Pendant has overall textured surface except in irregular infill area near the tail.

Provenance

Henri Kamer, Paris

David Markin, Kalamazoo, Michigan, -- to 1973

Exhibition History

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

Content Statement

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Credit Line

Gift of David R. Markin

Mid-late 20th century

Object number

73-4-5

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply

Type

Jewelry

Medium

Gold alloy

Dimensions

H x W x D: 11.8 x 6 x 3 cm (4 5/8 x 2 3/8 x 1 3/16in.)

Geography

Côte d'Ivoire

See more items in

National Museum of African Art Collection

National Museum of African Art

Topic

Status

Adornment

turtle

male

Record ID

nmafa_73-4-5

Metadata Usage (text)

Usage conditions apply

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ys7bb4861ba-4059-4470-bcbf-0a1f49899ab3