H x W x D: 21.0 x 9.5 x 2.2 cm (8 1/4 x 3 3/4 x 7/8 in.)
Type:
Jewelry
Geography:
Burkina Faso
Date:
Mid-20th century
Label Text:
Several peoples of Burkina Faso associated men's ivory pendants with brave and resourceful elephant hunters and the spirit and strength of their quarry. Highly valued, a pendant equaled the price of a cow.
Description:
Ivory pendant of vertical rectangular form over a crescent, separated by a flattened circular form with a suspension hole on either side of a median ridge. The proper right horn of crescent form is a restoration.
Provenance:
Albert and Estera Votaw, acquired Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, 1981 to 1998
Exhibition History:
Treasures 2008, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., April 9-August 24, 2008
Recent Acquisitions 2000, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., May 13, 1999-January 24, 2000
Published References:
Patton, Sharon F. and Bryna Freyer. 2008. Treasures 2008. Washington D.C.: National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, pp. 90-91.
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 Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks.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/