On View
Cultural Expressions Gallery
Exhibition
Cultural Expressions
Created by
Louis Fritz, Guadeloupean, founded 1982
Date
1990s
Medium
metal
Dimensions
H x W x D (each): 1 3/8 × 1 × 7/8 in. (3.5 × 2.5 × 2.2 cm)
Description
A pair of tété négresse style gold-colored earrings with fish hook clasps. Each earring is formed with four (4) consecutive circular layers that form a convex shape with the innermost layer being the pinnacle. This center layer is made from a single gold-colored metal bead that has a raised center nipple surrounded by a rounded cone with engraved stripes. The center bead is soldered to a second layer of five (5) gold-colored metal flower beads that have hollow centers with a single stamen protruding from the center. The layer is in turn soldered to the third layer, comprised of nine (9) of these same flower beads. The third layer is soldered to the fourth and outermost layer made from a ring of gold-colored metal resembling a ball chain, but with the back of this piece being flat. There is one rounded ball section protruding from the outermost layer with the looped portion of the clasp extending from it and attaching to a hook at the bottom center back.
Place made
Pointe-à-Pitre, Grande-Terre, Guadeloupe, Caribbean, Latin America, North and Central America
Classification
Adornment
Type
earrings
Topic
African diaspora
Beauty culture
Clothing and dress
Design
Fashion
Ornamentation
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2015.32ab
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5f02f6a08-7481-426c-9645-4e855f6606ab

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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