This triple strand twisted black leather necklace features a centerpiece black leather pendant in the shape of a cross adorned with natural cowrie shells and a single vintage round gold weight in the center. Necklaces of this type are worn by tribal people of Mali for protective purposes, as well as personal adornment. The leather is made from goatskin. Such a necklace is imbued by tribal healers with medicinal or spiritual value which defend the wearer from whatever he or she may consider to be threatening to them. Each vintage brass gold weight was individually hand cast many years ago using the traditional lost wax casting method so no two are exactly alike.

The pendant measures 3 x 3" (8 x 8 cm); the necklaces vary from 8" to 9 1/2" long (20 to 24 cm)