Collections: Arts of Africa and the Pacific Islands: Pendant in the Form of a Sawfish

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Pendant in the Form of a Sawfish

In Ghana and the Ivory Coast, regions that acquired great wealth from the mining and trading of gold, rulers displayed their status by wearing a profusion of gold ornaments, even attaching such objects to umbrellas and swords. Although many of these ornaments are abstract geometric shapes, some represent human faces or animals, as in the piece shown here depicting a sawfish. Such works were made using the lost-wax casting method, in which a clay mold was made around a modeled wax form. The mold was then heated and the wax poured out, after which molten gold was poured in and solidified in the form of the original wax model.

• Cultures: Ebrié; or Adjukru; or Alladan
• Medium: Gold
• Geographical Locations:
  • Place made: Lagunes region, Ivory Coast
  • Place made: Lagunes Region, Ivory Coast
• Dates: 19th century
• Dimensions: 2 3/16 x 3/8 x 2 15/16 in. (5.5 x 1 x 7.5 cm)
• Collections: Arts of Africa and the Pacific Islands
• Museum Location: This item is on view in African Galleries, 1st Floor
• Accession Number: 49.32.2
• Credit Line: A Augustus Healy Fund
• Image: Overall, 49.32.2_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
Ebrié. Pendant in the Form of a Sawfish, 19th century. Gold, 2 3/16 x 3/8 x 2 15/16 in. (5.5 x 1 x 7.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, A Augustus Healy Fund, 49.32.2 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 49.32.2_SL1.jpg)
• Catalogue Description: An oval body of open lattice work, edged by rows of circular openings. A long tail curves around one side and is made of wrapped 'threads.' The head is cylindrical with two projecting eyes. There are two rings for suspension. Condition: Very good.