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1925.70.24.1

One of a pair of gold disc filigree ear ornaments.

On display

1925.70.24.1

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Collection type
Object
Description
One of a pair of gold disc filigree ear ornaments.
Long description
One of a pair of gold disc filigree ear ornaments. Pair of gold disc filigree ear ornaments. One side of the ear ornament is decorated with intricate bands of filigree work. The other side is decorated with a simpler pattern of filigree work which resembles the spokes of a wheel. The two flat discs are joined by a narrow band of plain gold. The centre of each disk has a small raised cluster of gold balls.
Geographical reference
Kenya
Africa > Eastern Africa > Kenya
Date / Period
Date made: Before 1925
Date collected
By 1925
Acquisition information
Purchased: 1925
Materials and processes
Material Gold Metal, Process Filigree, Process Bent
Dimensions
Diameter 45 mm, Depth 17 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1925.70.24.1
Research and responses

These ear cylinders from Lamu are known as 'majasi' in Swahili. This was first documented by James de Vere Allen on page 21 of his 1971 publication "Lamu". See RDF for copy.

Associated publications
Reproduced in colour on page 317 (catalogue number 143) of Cultures of the Indian Ocean (Lisbon: Comissão Nacional para as Comemorações dos Descobrimentos Portugueses, 1998). [JC 8 9 1999]

Search terms: Ornament, Ear Ornament

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