**Originally Listed At $150**

Western Africa, Benin, ca. early to mid 20th century CE. A lovely and quite heavy necklace, composed of forty-six cylindrical beads and a similar number of disc-shaped beads, all made from brass (though commonly mistaken as bronze). A curved, cobra-like pendant of the same material hangs from the center. On a leather strap. Comfortable to wear with a pleasing weight. Please measure your neck as it is a shorter strand. Length of strand: 30" L (76.2 cm); size of pendant: .5" W x 2.05" H (1.3 cm x 5.2 cm)

Benin's best known works, its "bronzes", are usually made of brass that came from Europe in the form of manillas - trade money - and were melted down by Benin artisans to make items like these beads. These artisans came from a class of guildsmen who lived in groups close to royal authority and produced prestige objects like this these for wealthy, often royal patrons. By the early 20th century, this included the occupying British and other Europeans - who were amazed by the high quality of such objects because of their attitudes towards Africa and Africans.

Provenance: private Tacoma, Washington, USA collection

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#131715

Dark patina on surface. Wearable!