Penca de Balangandã

NameAmulet

Artist Artist Not Recorded

DateEarly 20th century

Place madeSalvador, Bahia, Brazil, South America

MediumMetal (silver, possibly other metals), stone

Dimensions7 1/16 × 10 5/16 × 2 3/16 in. (17.9 × 26.2 × 5.5 cm)

Credit LineMuseum of International Folk Art, museum purchase with funds from Connie Thrasher Jaquith, A.2012.30.1

Object numberA.2012.30.1

DescriptionHeavily tarnished and patinated silver penca de balangandãs on a chain (detatched on arrival), from which hangs an ornate "handle" with scrolling floral/vegetal forms and flanking birds at the top, and nineteen amulet/charms which hang from the bottom. The darkly patinated "handle" or hanger has a concave-curved and toothed bottom, a swag decorated curving piece above which is topped with mirrored S-forms with birds on each end. The S's flank a palmate central form. From the bottom hang two fruit forms, a tambourine, a bunch of grapes, a gourd dipper, a fist and arm, a horse's head, a fish, an unidentified form, a key, cup, mermaid, sword, sea serpent, chicken, a corn-like form, coin, another conical fruit-like form and a turtle. A large stone fist with a bracelet, the thumb positioned between the index and third finger belongs on the piece as well, but is now detatched.