A solid-metal necklace with a very large pendant with a central, colorfully beaded oval section. Two side by side circles overlap and extend from the oval, in which are set four shells. Loose brown tassels hang down from the pendant.

Woman's Necklace

20th century

Maasai Kenya or Tanzania Eastern and Southern Africa

Kenya

Today the Maasai are best known for their brightly colored and highly decorative beadwork, but these rare necklaces provide a glimpse into a jewelry design that was favored a century ago. The two round shells symbolize breasts and represent the fertility of a woman in her childbearing years, who would have worn
the necklace as a mark of pride and honor. Some older women still wear the version with one circle (see 2023.2922) —also as a badge of respect and maturity, but as a grandmother or great-grandmother to be admired for her familial contributions and guidance. Only female artists created this style of jewelry.

Animal hide, beads, shells, and metal

Arts of Africa