Miniature Tortoise Pendant
Senufo, Ivory Coast
Iron, accumulation
Early 20th century

Small pendants such as this were generally worn by children for their protection, on the order of a soothsayer. Upon initiation, it would no longer be worn but still kept in their personal altar. 

Among the Senufo, turtles were symbols of secrecy: The tortoise pendant told insiders how to approach the person who wears it. The formula to unlock the secret locked in the center is hard to reach (Blandin, André, Afrique de l'Ouest: Bronzes et Autres Alliages, 1988).

The color photograph below shows two bronze tortoise pendants on the ground in front of a mirror. The photo is captioned "A Senufo diviner, Ivory Coast, at work. ​A mirror stands in front of a small sacrificial altar... figures in front of the mirror help advise the soothsayer. According to his advice, the client will wear specific bronze rings, pendants, or amulets (Fisher, Angela, Africa Adorned, 1984).

1.5 in :: 4 cm

InventoryID #13-1504

Not For Sale