African jewelry is as variegated as the African people themselves. Armed perhaps with the richest natural resources in the world; the African jeweler is constrained by only his imagination and in certain special cases by tribal tradition and superstition. Indigenous items were generally used such as palm leaves, leather, eggshells, ivory, metals, animal bones, glass, semi and precious stones. At times materials that were introduced from abroad were utilized as in the case of this Yoruba necklace. The word ‘Yoruba’ describes both a language and a people who number over eleven million. They reside in southwestern Nigeria and within the neighboring Benin Republic. Their origin can be traced back to the first millennium. According to myth, life began in the Yoruba holy city of Ife. Individual jewelry possession in Africa signified great wealth and power. The Yoruba are no exception. The more elaborate or valuable the selection, the more respect is garnered and dignified position implied. The value placed on this necklace made it attainable only by the very rich and royalty. The reason being is the hundreds of British West Africa One-Tenth of a Penny coins. They were used in Ghana, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Gambia from around 1907 to 1957. Several exposed coins on the necklace date back to 1915. This item is a good example of how foreign influences affected African social values and artistic craft works. Coupled with coins of numismatic value this rare necklace is a collectors find!

Please click photo for enlargement!

Dimensions: 15 inch hang length. 

Any QUESTIONS please leave a message here at Contact Us!

*Fixed shipping price for domestic orders only*