Talhakimt, Senegal
Transferred from the Wellcome Institute in 1985; 1985.52.1700
Shaped like an arrowhead fixed to a ring, this talhakimt was purchased in Dakar, the capital city of Senegal, West Africa. Talhakimt are derived from Indian carnelian finger rings. In the early 20th century they were mass produced in factories in India, Germany, France, Italy, and Czechoslovakia and exported to West Africa, where they were sold at street markets.
This one is made of pressed glass, but talhakimt were also made of agate and celluloid plastic, and came in red, green, yellow, and white as well as blue. They were used as protective amulets and fertility charms, and were worn on necklaces and as hair ornaments.
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