Bracelet

Bracelets were essential to a woman’s collection, and a simple version was often a Wolof woman’s first acquisition. Like necklaces and earrings, bracelets come in a wide variety of inventive styles, from the braided and twisted designs, which required the female client’s presence to designate the tightness of the twist, to delicate, European-inspired flowers, to Islamic-inspired half-moon bracelets.

Gold four-piece hinged bracelet with central hollow panels of three squares with three raised tiered projections flanked at the four corners by rosettes. The back, larger piece of the bracelet is solid with applied rosettes and twisted wire. Three central panels are pierced at the back with five holes each. Missing hinge pin, but small amount of chain is still evident.

Marian Johnson, purchased in Dakar, Senegal, 1963-late 20th century to 2012

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