Pendant

Object Details

Wolof artist

Tukulor artist

Label Text

In order to document historic forms, Johnson often bought jewelry otherwise destined for the goldsmith’s melting pot. This European-inspired butterfly pendant is one such piece and as a result is one of the oldest in the collection.

Description

Gold-plated silver alloy pendant composed of three filigree butterflies, one central larger and two smaller flanking it, connected by one link of chain. Stylized wings are created from teardrop shaped elements filled with filigree and surmounted by a bead of granulation. Tiered and petaled semicircular elements surmount the wings. The face of the butterflies is an inverted heart filled with filigree and decorated with granulation. Each butterfly has antennae gracing the top of the head, applied at the back.

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

African Mosaic: Selections from the Permanent Collection, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., November 19, 2013–August 12, 2019 (installed November 7, 2014-August 1, 2017)

Published References

Maples, Amanda, Ashby Johnson, Marian, and Dumouchelle, Kevin D., 2018, Good As Gold, Washington, D.C.: NMAfA, Smithsonian, p. 77, 87, illustrated p. 78

Content Statement

As part of our commitment to accessibility and transparency, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art is placing its collection records online. Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks. If you see content requiring immediate action, we will do our best to address it in a timely manner. Please email nmafacuratorial@si.edu if you have any questions.

Image Requests

High resolution digital images are not available for some objects. For publication quality photography and permissions, please contact the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at https://africa.si.edu/research/eliot-elisofon-photographic-archives/

Credit Line

Gift of Dr. Marian Ashby Johnson

1930s-1950s

Object number

2012-18-45

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply

Type

Jewelry

Medium

Gold-plated silver alloy

Dimensions

H x W x D: 3.5 x 10.5 x 0.6 cm (1 3/8 x 4 1/8 x 1/4 in.)

Geography

Senegal

See more items in

National Museum of African Art Collection

National Museum of African Art

Topic

Adornment

Female use

butterfly

male

Record ID

nmafa_2012-18-45

Metadata Usage (text)

Usage conditions apply

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ys7d481619a-e855-403a-ae40-a5b57e517356