Images(4)

Earring

Artist North African artist

Date19th century or earlier

MediumSilver and coral

DimensionsDiam. 1 9/16 in. (4.0 cm)

ClassificationsMetal

Credit LineGift of John and Katheryne Loughran

Object numberG.76.21.5

On View

Not on view

Label TextThe NCMA's collection of North African jewelry is likely all from Somalia, which has a largely Muslim population, though Somali people can be found throughout neighboring countries, including Djibouti, Kenya, and Ethiopia. Jewelry is a sign of wealth for women in Somali society. It can carry protective stones like amber and coral or sacred scriptures from the Qur’an. Some necklaces even show if a woman is married. Since inheritance rights for women are guaranteed by the Qur’an, jewelry is “social capital”: that is, it gives power to a woman within her society.
[S. Frisbie and A. Maples, 8-24-2020] Object Rights Statement

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