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. This pendant of a turtle has suspension loops for a tail.

Description

Cast gold alloy turtle with suspension loops by tail and lattice work shell; and a casting flaw by the nose.

Provenance

Henri Kamer, Paris

David Markin, Kalamazoo, Michigan, -- to 1973

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

Content Statement

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Credit Line

Gift of David R. Markin

Mid-late 20th century

Object number

73-4-6

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply

Type

Jewelry

Medium

Gold alloy

Dimensions

H x W x D: 10.4 x 7.5 x 2.8 cm (4 1/8 x 2 15/16 x 1 1/8in.)

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_73-4-6

Metadata Usage (text)

Usage conditions apply

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ys769dd3c66-9783-4d18-9500-cbb6e37eed63