Oversized Sankofa Bird Adinkra Brass Pendant – Handcrafted in Ghana
$85.00
Skip to product information
Oversized Sankofa Bird Adinkra Brass Pendant – Handcrafted in Ghana
$85.00
This Oversized Sankofa Bird Adinkra Brass Pendant is a substantial handcrafted jewelry component made in Ghana. Its triangular composition combines an open lattice framework, concentric spiral forms, a broad textured bail, and a dimensional Sankofa Bird at the center. The warm brass tone, layered openwork, and visibly hand-finished construction give designers a centerpiece with strong scale, texture, and material presence.
Sankofa is an Akan concept commonly expressed as “go back and get it,” “return and retrieve it,” or, more fully, the idea that it is appropriate to return for valuable knowledge that has been forgotten. The Sankofa Bird—shown turning its head backward while its body remains oriented forward—communicates the importance of learning from the past while continuing toward the future. Its cultural significance centers on memory, knowledge, reflection, continuity, and responsible learning.
Unlike Gye Nyame, Sankofa does not require a specific religious interpretation to explain its established core meaning. Aadampo therefore presents Sankofa primarily through its documented cultural, educational, social, historical, and contemporary significance rather than assigning unsupported spiritual claims to the symbol.
The approximately 20–21.5 mm (0.79–0.85 in) bail opening gives professional designers flexibility for appropriately sized cords, chains, fibers, and mixed-material assemblies. For jewelry brands, bead stores, galleries, museum-oriented retail, educators, cultural institutions, and wholesale buyers, this pendant offers both a strong design focal and a meaningful Ghanaian material-culture narrative.
PRODUCT DETAILS
| Product Attribute | Product Information |
|---|---|
| Product | Oversized Sankofa Bird Adinkra Brass Pendant |
| Adinkra Symbol | Sankofa |
| Literal / Core Meaning | “Go back and get it” / return and retrieve valuable knowledge |
| Material | African Brass |
| Origin | Ghana |
| Cultural Tradition | Ghanaian / Akan Adinkra tradition |
| Technique / Style | Handcrafted brass work; exact casting process requires merchant verification |
| Shape / Form | Oversized triangular openwork pendant with central Sankofa Bird and spiral decoration |
| Color Family | Brass / Gold |
| Color | Warm golden brass |
| Finish | Textured, hand-finished brass surface; not represented as highly polished |
| Approximate Overall Dimensions | 118–120 mm × 118–120 mm × 132–137 mm, as supplied; dimensional labels require verification |
| Approximate Dimensions in Inches | 4.65–4.72 in × 4.65–4.72 in × 5.20–5.39 in |
| Approximate Thickness | 5.3–5.6 mm / 0.21–0.22 in |
| Ring / Bail Hole Size | Approximately 20–21.5 mm / 0.79–0.85 in |
| Approximate Quantity | 1 pendant |
| Large Hole / Bail | Yes |
| Handmade | Yes |
| Wholesale Availability | Wholesale-friendly; current inventory and commercial terms require store data |
| Weight | Not provided |
CULTURAL & MATERIAL NOTE
Sankofa: Cultural, Social & Educational Context
Traditional / Cultural Meaning:
Sankofa is an Akan concept commonly translated as “go back and get it” or “return and retrieve it.” It expresses the idea that progress does not require abandoning valuable knowledge from the past.
The Sankofa Bird is typically represented with its head turned backward while the body remains oriented forward. This visual structure reinforces the principle of retrieving useful knowledge, lessons, history, or memory while continuing onward.
Ghanaian Brass Craftsmanship
This pendant is a contemporary handcrafted Ghanaian brass object informed by established local metalworking traditions. The open lattice framework, raised bird form, concentric spiral decoration, and textured bail demonstrate skilled material production and manual finishing.
Where lost-wax casting is used in Ghanaian brass production, artisans form a model in wax, prepare a mold around it, remove the wax through heating, introduce molten metal into the resulting cavity, and finish the cast form after cooling. The exact process used for this individual pendant should be merchant-verified before publishing a product-specific “lost-wax cast” claim.
HANDMADE VARIATION NOTICE
This pendant is handmade. Natural differences may occur among pieces in:
- overall shape
- dimensions
- thickness
- brass tone
- lattice spacing
- Sankofa Bird detailing
- spiral decoration
- surface texture
- finishing marks
- edge character
- bail shape
- bail-opening dimensions
These differences are consistent with handcrafted production. Variation should be expected when sourcing multiple pieces, but individual irregularities should not automatically be treated as proof of authenticity.
Required Product Disclaimer:
Please note that product colors and sizes may vary slightly due to their handmade nature. Don’t Eat! Our Beads are not edible and should be kept out of reach of children.
CARE & HANDLING
Keep the pendant dry when practical and wipe it gently with a clean, soft cloth after handling.
Store away from prolonged moisture, high humidity, abrasive objects, and chemicals that may change the brass surface. Natural brass may develop patina over time through interaction with air, moisture, skin oils, and environmental conditions.
Avoid aggressive polishing or harsh chemical cleaners unless the method is appropriate for brass and has first been tested cautiously on an inconspicuous area. Surface coatings or protective treatments for this specific pendant have not been supplied, so do not assume one is present.
For wearable applications, protect the pendant from repeated impact and select support materials appropriate for its actual measured weight.