H x W x D: 10.8 x 10.2 x 0.9 cm (4 1/4 x 4 x 3/8 in.)
Type:
Jewelry
Geography:
Côte d'Ivoire
Date:
Mid 20th century
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 circular disk pendant with concentric thread pattern and braided outer edge. The central element has four semi-circles and is hollowed out for suspension cord.
Provenance:
Edwin E. Hokin, Highland Park, Illinois, -- to 1970
Exhibition History:
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:
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