woman's necklace
woman's necklace
Culture
Ida ou Sental people
Creation date
20th century
Materials
silver, enamel, coral, amber, glass, stone, shell, fiber
Dimensions
29 1/4 x 2 x 2 in.
Credit line
Roger G. Wolcott Fund
Accession number
1999.20
Currently On View In
Eiteljorg Suite of African and Oceanic Art
Jewelry is important to the whole Berber family. It is the husband who buys the jewelry for his wife and it serves as a social emblem identifying prestige and class. In times of financial trouble, the husband may choose to sell it to supplement income. Jewelry has spiritual meaning as well. The forms and designs give the pieces protective qualities which insure fertility or discourage disease.
