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Pendant (Spiral)

Date:

Mid–19th/mid–20th century

Artist:

Baule or Lagoons peoples
Côte d’Ivoire
Coastal West Africa

About this artwork

This gold ornament would most likely have been threaded together with other similar objects into a necklace. For the past several centuries in southern Côte d’Ivoire, gold ornaments and jewelry have been worn by the Akan and Akan-related peoples of the coastal region and the Baule, who live further inland. The technique for making gold beads and ornaments was introduced centuries ago by Akan goldsmiths from Ghana. Each design was made by modeling fine wax threads over a solid core, which was then invested in a clay mold and cast using the lost-wax method. This technique allowed for the delicate detailing that can be seen along the edges and center sections of the object.

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Arts of Africa

Culture

Baule

Title

Pendant (Spiral)

Place

Côte d'Ivoire (Object made in:)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

1850–1950

Medium

Gold

Dimensions

7.7 × 7 × 0.6 cm (3 1/16 × 2 13/16 × 1/4 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of Grace Hokin

Reference Number

1991.394

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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