✅ SOLVED Pendant? Not Really Sure !!

[Cariboo5]

Not mine, found online and am hoping someone may know what the design and symbols mean. Looks like it may have some age ... All thoughts & suggestions welcome. Thanks to all .....

 

[Red-Coat]

Nice. It’s a ‘Mamuli’… an ornament representing the female genitalia and symbolizing women as the givers of life, traditionally used by the Sumba people of Indonesia. The more decorative ones are seen as 'male'. Traditionally, they were made in precious metal, but the one you found online, made as a pendant, looks to be brass (?)

This one from the National Museum of World Cultures in Amsterdam:

Mamuli - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Cariboo5]

Nice. It’s a ‘Mamuli’… an ornament representing the female genitalia and symbolizing women as the givers of life, traditionally used by the Sumba people of Indonesia. The more decorative ones are seen as 'male'. Traditionally, they were made in precious metal, but the one you found online, made as a pendant, looks to be brass (?)

This one from the National Museum of World Cultures in Amsterdam:

View attachment 2219194

Mamuli - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Again koodo's to you Red-Coat appreciate how fast you solve these.. By chance would happen to know when (what year) these were made..( 20th / 19th century etc?)

 

[Red-Coat]

You're welcome. It's not an easy thing to date. If I were guessing, I would say early 20th Century.

 

[Cariboo5]

After much research from your post it does appear to be 20th century as mentioned.
Many thanks Red-Coat and have a good one as this is now solved....

 

[pepperj]

Again koodo's to you Red-Coat appreciate how fast you solve these.. By chance would happen to know when (what year) these were made..( 20th / 19th century etc?)

Again koodo's to you Red-Coat appreciate how fast you solve these.. By chance would happen to know when (what year) these were made..( 20th / 19th century etc?)

The biggest problem with handcrafted articles from Indonesia is new made to look old.
So they'll craft an item, bury it, dig it up and then flog it off as an antique.
Seen it, knew the dealers back in 1992 when we traveled through the islands and bought jewelry.
To date this item would be hard unless there was some history.
I know my stuff is from 1990-92.
The vintage silver is a

 

[Cariboo5]

The biggest problem with handcrafted articles from Indonesia is new made to look old.
So they'll craft an item, bury it, dig it up and then flog it off as an antique.
Seen it, knew the dealers back in 1992 when we traveled through the islands and bought jewelry.
To date this item would be hard unless there was some history.
I know my stuff is from 1990-92.
The vintage silver is a

Excellent point you brought up pepperj ....