Pendant in the shape of a face

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Description

gold: 20 ct, 25 g, double eyelet

Pendants in the shape of a human face are among the finest gold castings from the Ivory Coast. They are widespread throughout the south-east and were probably mainly produced in the workshops of the Baule and Lagoon peoples.

Among the Baule, these pendants were called “ngblo” or “sran tre” (human head). They are said to have been worn by both men and women as hair ornaments or necklaces. Sometimes they are still worn today on special festive occasions. They are regarded as family heirlooms and form part of the gold treasure that belongs to the whole family and is passed down from generation to generation.

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Comparing literature

Garrard, Timothy, Afrikanisches Gold, München 1989, p. 100

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Publications

"Oro de Africa - Insignias de Poder", Colección Stephanie Uhart Negret, Santiago de Chile 2007, p. 47

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