Earrings

Earrings, particularly twisted gold hoops ubiquitous throughout western Africa since the first millenium AD, are an essential component of any Senegalese jewelry ensemble. Often paired with a matching pendant or necklace, the more ornate patterns reflect their European inspirations, incorporating delicate filigree work and crested with flowers and circlets of twisted wire design. These designs often bore French names, or French derivatives. Dangling versions, sometimes modeled after common necklace designs, are also popular and are known as "long-longs." Others are small hoops composed of coiled or twisted wire meant to be attached permanently to the ear and worn in multiples.

These modern earrings incorporate an older, traditional granulation technique, whereby tiny balls of gold, known as "thioup-thioup" or "pep," are applied to sheet metal. Their central circular design curving up into pointed "tails" may indicate fish iconography.

Gold-plated copper alloy earrings in the shape of a swirl or a stylized fish with a projecting half sphere at the terminus of each. The earrings are decorated on the flat portion with true granulation in geometric and half circle patterns; one earring has three central diamonds in negative space, the other has circles. The half sphere portion of the earrings has a central globule and applied granules surrounded by circles of twisted wire. The backs are hammered flat sheet metal. Modern earring post and back.

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

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

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

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