Object Details
- Label Text
- Bracelets were essential to a woman’s collection, and a simple version was often a Wolof woman’s first acquisition. Like necklaces and earrings, bracelets come in a wide variety of inventive styles, from the braided and twisted designs, which required the female client’s presence to designate the tightness of the twist, to delicate, European-inspired flowers, to Islamic-inspired half-moon bracelets.
- Description
- Gilt silver (gold wash) hinged bracelet with central alternating design of opposing teardrops in twisted wire, flanked on either side by rows of twisted wire and globules. Both edges of the bracelet have twisted or braided wire applied vertically as opposed to horizontally, creating a tooth-like effect. A chain connects the bracelet where a hinge pin would connect, but the hinge pin is missing.
- Provenance
- Marian Johnson, purchased in Dakar, Senegal, 1963-late 20th century to 2012
- 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 Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks.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/
- Data Source
- National Museum of African Art
- Date
- Mid-20th century
- Credit Line
- Gift of Dr. Marian Ashby Johnson
- Medium
- Gilt silver (gold wash)
- Dimensions
- H x W x D: 5.8 x 6.3 x 2.6 cm (2 1/4 x 2 1/2 x 1 1/16 in.)
- Type
- Jewelry
