Necklace with goat ornament and coin pendants by Fon

Necklace with goat ornament and coin pendants c. late 19th century

silver, metal, sculpture

silver

metal

sculpture

islamic-art

This silver necklace, crafted by the Fon people of Benin, dates back to the late 19th century. The central ornament depicts a stylized goat, a common motif in Fon art. The goat is adorned with intricate, textured details and is suspended from a long chain, with five coin pendants hanging below. This necklace is a prime example of Fon artistry, showcasing their skill in metalwork and their use of symbolic imagery. The goat, a symbol of wealth and prosperity, represents the wearer's status and social standing within the community. The coin pendants further enhance this message, signifying material abundance and good fortune.

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minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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More than one hundred years ago, the elite of the Danhomé Kingdom in West Africa would have worn these silver ornaments to adorn themselves and show off their wealth, and also to protect themselves from harm and evil. Fashioned by jewelers from imported silver coins, the ornaments were embellished with tiny sculptures that refer to past kings, heroic wars, and the Vodun religion. The coins attached to the ornaments date from between 1873 and 1910, bridging the last decades of the independent Kingdom and the first 15 years of French colonial rule.