Sterling Silver & Elephant Hair San Art Bracelet

Bracelet Size:
Width: 1/2 inch
Circumference : 7 3/4 inches
Weight: 20.4 grams

This unique bracelet was handmade in Johannesburg by a jeweler who grew up in Soweto, after studying the art of jewelry making, he then decided to combine the modern mediums with ancient African mediums; the result is a unique and beautiful piece of jewelry.

This bracelet is hand made out of sterling silver and elephant hair. The black in the bracelet is inlayed elephant hair. There are three links that are joined together with a hinges, there are 2 links with elephant hair and sterling silver that is alternated in horizontal stripes, and 3 links are San or Bushman cave paintings the black in these links is elephant hair. The clasp is like a watch clasp. The whole piece is hand crafted using elephant hair and sterling silver.

About African Jewelry.

Owning a piece of African jewelry is more than owning a piece of jewelry its possessing a world of culture and history in its own beautiful form. Even though there is history and meaning behind each piece, it’s the art in the jewelry that grabs the attention of most collectors.

African jewelry is an ancient and time honored art form that reflects the art of African heritage, culture and history. There are several artistic, religious, spiritual and cultural elements of African heritage visible in each uniquely crafted piece of jewelry.

Around the turn of the 10th century, when bronze work was common, crafting these pieces became more intricate. Bronze pieces were normally decorated with ivory or precious stones and several of these pieces were identified with royalty. Beads have also played a very important role in African culture and can be seen today in many of the beautiful pieces of jewelry created by the skilled craftsmen who make them.

Modern African pieces still remain true to the same historic values and meanings of the past. These values represent different elements of African culture and reveal the importance of each piece of jewelry, which in turn makes them so special to collectors and art lovers everywhere.

The history and meaning of each piece of jewelry is unique. It is said that owning one of these pieces provides hope, wisdom and well-being to its owner. So start your own ‘art’ collection today.

About the Bushmen.

When 4000 years ago nomads came into contact with the much longer established hunter-gatherers of Southern Africa, they called them San meaning food gatherers. In the 17th century the Dutch colonized the Cape of Good Hope and called the hunter-gatherers of the plains “Boschjemannen” which translates to Bushmen. Bushmen are the longest surviving tribe of Southern Africa they are descendents of the Stone Age people.

About Rock Art.

The Europeans who first saw the Rock Art were fascinated but dismissive of their importance. Now days the true value and meaning of their art is being deciphered and appreciated., their art not only shows actual events that happened but are messages full of intricate and complex Elephant hair is traditionally used to make jewelry in Africa it is considered good luck and health, the hair is cut from the tail when the animals are darted for medical reasons. No elephants are killed for the hair.