DepartmentLatin America

Penca de Balangandan

NameAmulet

Artist Artist unrecorded

Dateca. 2004

Place collectedSalvador, Bahia, Brazil, South America

MediumMetal, wood, metallic paint or silver leaf

DimensionsH:38 W:16.5 D:10.5 cm (as hangs naturally)

Credit LineGift of Beej Nierengarten-Smith in honor of Jim Smith, M.D. and Susan Matfield-Brown, M.A.

Object numberA.2012.66.1

DescriptionPenca de Balangandan formed of a silver-colored "handle" which hangs from a metal chain with eleven large charm-like forms dangling from the slightly toothed bottom. The "hanger" is an 1/8" thick stamped or cut out metal form decorated on the top half with birds and scrolling vegetal forms. The "charms" include a large central dark hardwood hand carved in a fist-like form which has a silver-colored bracelet and silver painted fingernail, and with its thumb placed between its index and third finger. To each side are gourd-like forms, pineapple or pomegranate-like forms, a gourd dipper and possibly corn. All charms are decorated with scrolling floral forms, dots and/or other repoussé worked ornamentation, with a dark applied patination in the deep areas.