Bracelet with bird and snake ornament and coin pendants c. late 19th century

Editor: This is a late 19th-century bracelet from the Fon people, crafted from silver and featuring a bird, snake, and coin pendants. The craftsmanship is remarkable, but the snake coiled around what seems to be a bird's head creates a jarring juxtaposition. How do you interpret this work? Curator: That jarring image you’re picking up on is quite significant. Considering the colonial context of the late 19th century, it’s fascinating to observe the hybridity embedded in this piece. The snake and bird likely carry symbolic weight within Fon cosmology, but the incorporation of coins suggests an encounter with—and perhaps a commentary on—European commerce and power. What do you think the juxtaposition of indigenous symbols with colonial currency might represent? Editor: Perhaps it's a statement about cultural resilience in the face of economic pressures. The Fon people holding onto their traditions while also interacting with the monetary system imposed by colonizers. Curator: Precisely! Jewelry often functions as a visible declaration of identity and status. Here, the piece could be read as both an assertion of Fon identity and a critique of the colonial powers impacting their society. The snake, a powerful symbol in many African cultures, coiled around the bird—often a symbol of freedom—might even suggest a struggle. What other potential interpretations arise for you? Editor: I didn't consider it from that perspective, I was focused on the images as jarring instead of potent symbols of resilience. Now that I’m looking closer, there’s an assertiveness present that wasn’t clear initially. Curator: It's amazing how much richer an object can become when we consider it through an intersectional lens, examining its historical, cultural, and political dimensions. Editor: Absolutely! It really highlights the agency and complexities within artistic expressions of the time. I'm walking away seeing the object with fresh eyes.