H x W x D: 3.2 x 3.2 x 1 cm (1 1/4 x 1 1/4 x 3/8 in.)
Type:
Jewelry
Geography:
Mali
Date:
Mid-20th century
Label Text:
This type of pendant, worn by Dogon women and children, may refer to one version of the Dogon creation myth in which the elements of the universe spiral out of an immense egg. The oval body of the pendant is symbolically female; the three loops, attached directly to the oval form would be male. The serpentine line is associated with movement and the primordial ancestors in Dogon mythology.
Technically the pendant is also interesting. In most lost wax casting, the clay core is completely covered by wax which is replaced by metal. Here the core remains partially visible under the copper alloy threads.
Description:
Cast copper alloy pendant over visible clay core. Pendant is triangular in form with four suspension loops at top point, center base, and sides of base, as well as a wrapped neck; serpentine and T- form line reveal clay core.
Provenance:
Eliot Elisofon, New York, -- to 1973
Content Statement:
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