Collection record · Small worlds
Pendant: Crocodile
The collection record classifies this work as jewelry. It is dated 1930 or earlier. Recorded culture or place: Africa, West Africa, Côte d'Ivoire, probably Baule-style goldsmith.
Explore the object recordOBJECT RECORD
A closer look at the details.
- Museum title
- Pendant: Crocodile
- Date
- 1930 or earlier
- Culture / origin
- Africa, West Africa, Côte d'Ivoire, probably Baule-style goldsmith
- Materials and technique
- Gold
- Dimensions
- Overall: 4.9 cm (1 15/16 in.)
- Artist / maker
- Not specified by the museum
- Museum
- The Cleveland Museum of Art
- Accession number
- 1952.265
FROM THE MUSEUM
In the museum’s words
The following description is reproduced from the Cleveland Museum of Art’s original English record.
This pendant was cast in gold using the lost-wax method. Gold objects are the only Baule art forms associated with ancestor spirits. Pendants can have many uses. Usually hidden in pots or suitcases, gold adornments can be displayed on important occasions such as funerals. They can be laid out around the corpse before burial. A widow will wear them on a chain around her neck or attached to her hair at the ceremony signaling the end of mourning.
FOLLOW THE SOURCE
Text and image sources
The Cleveland Museum of Art · John L. Severance Fund · CC0
The summary is based on public collection data. Refer to the museum’s latest record for the title, date and attribution.
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