Old Silver Penca de Balangandan

The Penca de Balangandan, roughly translated as “bouquet of charms that jingle”, is a predecessor of the modern charm bracelet originating in 17th century Bahia province, Brazil. Portuguese plantation owners awarded the Penca to “favoured” enslaved Africans, who wore them attached to heavy chain belts or for special occasions on their wrists. The charms held specific magical, medicinal or religious meanings, often simultaneously African and Christian, and were chosen to reflect the life of the individual owner. When not in use, the Penca would be hung near the owner’s door, ensuring prosperity, health, happiness, good fortune and safety. The cradle of the Penca was understood to represent the ships that carried human cargo to the “New World”.
A rare and meaningful artefact.