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African Bronze 19th Century Chameleon Pendant 2
$ 385.00
- African Bronze 19th Century Chameleon Pendant 2
- This fine antique pendant showing extensive use, wear and age with a dark green cast patina.
- Measures approx. 1" height from foot to bale. 3.18" length mouth to tail.
- Collected in a Senufo Village on the outskirts of Korhogo in the Northern Cote d"Ivoire.
- Among the Senufo and Lobi peoples of Cote d"Ivoire, the Chameleon is a powerful symbol for Protection and Awareness. The Chameleon's talent is to camouflage itself in it's surroundings, and possessing 360 degrees all round vision, almost no danger or conversely opportunity is ever missed or unnoticed. Chameleon symbols are said to protect their owners against various illnesses and insure a long life. Their spiral shaped tails are thought to represent Longevity.
- Smaller examples of brass and bronze Chameleons are worn by children in traditional cultures starting at a very young age.
- Cast by the lost wax method, a model is hand-shaped in beeswax. Once completed, wax rods are attached to it and the entire model is encased in layers of fine clay. The structure is then heated, and the melted wax runs out through the channels made by wax rods. Molten metal is poured into the mold, and left to cool. Upon proper cooling and resting, the mold is broken and the piece resulting is unique and original.