Necklace

Object Details

Wolof artist

Label Text

In addition to clear stylistic relationships to historic West Africa, the influence of Portugal and France have long been apparent in Senegalese goldwork. Shared designs were evident in Europe and Senegal as early as the 17th or 18th century and their popularity has continued into the 20th century. The “basket of flowers” motif, for example, is an older design that has long been popular, especially amongst Wolof artists and their clients. It was often part of the ngeganol, or marriage collection, given to a woman by her husband at their wedding. Because of its longevity, experiments on its basic design have circulated throughout Senegal, some of which are seen here.

While the idea of a basket of flowers is European in origin, the designs and execution are typically Senegalese. Emphasis is on the multiple layers of design elements and motifs, which affirm opulence and extravagance—highly prized by Senegalese women as a way of showing their wealth, whether a present reality or a hoped-for future.

Description

Wolof gold-plated silver alloy necklace with a "basket-of-flowers" (paniers des fleurs) pendant on a gold chain. The main pendant is a basket decorated with several raised and tiered flowers with openwork design, several of which have filigreed petals. The basket and flowers are surrounded by thick, teardrop shaped filigree elements. Three crescents and a braid adorn the front of the basket. The main pendant is connected to a "3D" chain. Two hook-and-eye closures on the chain.

Provenance

Marian Johnson, purchased in Dakar, Senegal, 1963-late 20th century to 2012

Exhibition History

Good As Gold: Fashioning Senegalese Women, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., October 24, 2018-February 2, 2020; North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh, September 16, 2020-January 3, 2021

Published References

Maples, Amanda, Ashby Johnson, Marian, and Dumouchelle, Kevin D., 2018, Good As Gold, Washington, D.C.: NMAfA, Smithsonian, illustrated p. 51, 64

Credit Line

Gift of Dr. Marian Ashby Johnson

1930s-1940s

Object number

2012-18-5

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply

Type

Jewelry

Medium

Gold-plated silver alloy

Dimensions

Pendant with chain: 88.4 cm (34 13/1 6 in.) Pendant: 10.1 x 9.2 x 2.9 cm (4 x 3 5/8 x 1 1/8 in.)

Geography

Senegal

Mauritania

The Gambia

See more items in

National Museum of African Art Collection

Object Name

bount u sindoné

National Museum of African Art

Topic

Adornment

Female use

male

floral

flower

Record ID

nmafa_2012-18-5

Metadata Usage (text)

Usage conditions apply

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ys70f73f313-c7af-458a-a73a-024ec3c0a8cb