LOBI Two Bronze Pendants — Slingshot & Bell Forms (12/14 cm)

Two distinct bronze pendants: one is an inverted Y-shape (resembling a slingshot) topped by a stylized human face; the other is a bell-like or conical form, completely covered in raised, coiled ring decorations with a flared, toothed bottom edge.

1. Aesthetic Style and Regional Traits

The inverted Y-shaped pendant is a fascinating metallurgical translation of a common wooden object: the slingshot (lance-pierre). The Lobi frequently elevate this humble hunting tool into an object of spiritual power by carving human faces into the handle. By casting this form in permanent, expensive bronze, it ceases to be a weapon entirely, becoming a pure, high-prestige amulet designed to "aim" protective magic at unseen spiritual threats. The medium translation transforms the form's operational claim — bronze cannot launch projectiles, so the iconography must operate at a purely spiritual level.

2. Ritual Function and Talismanic Design

The second pendant utilizes a more abstract, bell-like or conical shape, heavily decorated with concentric rings. This form may represent a stylized chameleon, a protective shield, or an acoustic implement. Like the slingshot pendant, the heavy application of concentric circles emphasizes radiating spiritual energy, creating a wearable, highly visible badge of the owner's connection to the protective thila (spirits). The pair format suggests they were commissioned together to address complementary protective domains.

3. Physical Patina and Age Verification

Both pendants show clear evidence of being actively worn. The high points of the human face and the protruding edges of the coiled rings exhibit a smooth, slightly polished surface from decades of friction against the owner's body. The recessed areas, however, retain a deep, uncleaned oxidation and malachite verdigris, authenticating their early 20th-century origins and active use as personal charms.

Summary

A fascinating pair of Lobi bronze pendants that highlight the cultural practice of transforming utilitarian shapes into potent, wearable talismans. Their intricate coiled decorations and authentic, handled patinas make them exceptional ethnographic objects.