Iron anklets with pendant decorations high quality Dogon – Mali

Dogon anklets
Black iron material
Historical reference at the beginning of the twentieth century
Origin Mali

Wonderful pair of Dogon anklets from Mali.
One side has the twisted iron with great craftsmanship with wonderful woven decorations and decorations to close the anklets.
Beautiful round irons decorated in the anklet that adorn the jewelry in a poor but at the same time sumptuous way.
cm 15.5 X cm 9 – cm 15 X cm 8
The Dogon inhabits the cliffs of Bandiagara, an extremely imposing environment in a very bare and austere environment. They are one of the very few ethnic groups in existence to have remained the closest to their ancestral traditions in both artistic expression and ceremonial practice. Blacksmiths form an exclusive caste and are distinguished by their special abilities. Pieces of forged iron show the technical skill and art of dogon ironworks. Iron would be obtained from iron ore through smelting, then by heating the object would be hammered to obtain the desired shape. The blacksmith would create the tools and weapons used, as well as important ritual objects. Old rattles amulets in hand-forged Dogon iron "Tienege" of Mali. This type of rattle or tool is used by the Dogon as a protective amulet or fetish when traveling through the bush; it is believed that it will give him strength, the necessary strength to fight and avert any impending danger. Characteristic of the style of the Dogon iron are the linear and abstract lines and the ingenious combination or curvilinear shapes – the true art of metalworking. The main body of the rattle or "Tienege" high quality has the shape of a pod, the resonance or ring of the rattle is achieved by shaking it, the rings provide the sound. Excellent patina of age and use.

Weight 111 g
Dimensions 15.5 × 7 × 0.5 cm