Senufo or Tusyan Copper-Alloy Protective Amulet Pendant, Côte d’Ivoire / Burkina Faso — HH 16

A copper-alloy pendant or amulet attributed to the Senufo or Tusyan tradition of Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso. Two stylised human figures with rounded heads and circular arms rise above a shared trapezoidal plate. Related museum examples are identified as protective pendants associated with divination and prescribed adornment. In Africa Adorned (p. 127), Angela Fisher interprets comparable paired figures as ancestors associated with forgiveness and protection. A layered leather packet remains attached to the reverse; its contents and the particular purpose for which this example was commissioned are unrecorded.

The metal component is cast, probably by the lost-wax process, with incised linear decoration beneath the figures. Its surface displays wear, scratches, brown and yellow patination, and local green corrosion. The leather assembly retains its attachment cords but shows deterioration and losses. The date remains undetermined. Formerly in the Hans Himmelheber collection and subsequently the Egon Guenther collection, the object preserves a painted HH collection mark on the reverse.

SKU: HH 16

Circa: Early - Mid 20 century proximate
Date undetermined.

Provenance:
Formerly Hans Himmelheber collection; subsequently acquired by Egon Guenther and inherited by his son, Thomas Guenther. Now Thomas Guenther Collection, Netherlands.

Measurements:
Height 4.4 cm × width 4.7 cm × overall thickness approximately 1.2 cm.

Weight:
19 g.