Necklace of 14 oval cylinders

Unknown

20th century · Beeswax and straw · Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

For those who cannot afford gold ornaments, imitation jewelry is an acceptable alternative. Rings, necklaces and bracelets made from shimmering, golden straw, artistically worked over a beeswax core are ubiquitous to Songhay peoples of Niger and are colloquially referred to as "Timbuktu gold." Although made of humble materials, the designs of these adornments mirror those employed in metalwork, emulating gold’s resplendence.

Artist

Unknown

Date

20th century

Medium

Beeswax and straw

Culture

Songhay

Department

Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

Credit line

Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Pascal James Imperato, 2017