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Beautiful, 8-charm Penca de Balangadan pendant brooch has a very rich symbolic and spiritual history. “Penca” means bunch or cluster and “balangandan” is the jingling sound the charms make when they move. These meaningful talismans were utilized from the 1600’s to the early 1900’s by enslaved people of African descent for spiritual protection, to welcome blessings, for good health, fertility and prosperity. These were traditionally worn on a woman’s waist or hung over a doorway.
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The remarkable hollow charms are attached to the ornate, hinged, bowed, open oval shaped ring with two symbolic birds facing one another; one representing Africa and the other representing Brazil. The elegant design of the oval ring represents a ship crossing the Atlantic Ocean and it holds the eight charms, each with spiritual significance:
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- A laranja (“the orange”) represents fertility,
- As uvas (“the grapes”) represents relief from sorrows,
- A romã (“the pomegranate”) represents fertility and humanity,
- The figa ("the figa fist") is to ward off evil spirits and also represents fertility,
- A concha de água (“the Colonial water ladle”) represents the womb or fertility,
- O milho (“the ear of corn”) represents the land and fertility,
- A graviola (“the soursop”) represents fertility, and
- O berimbau (“the berimbau” the musical bow in the music of the Afro-Brazilian marital art, Capoeira) represents the rhythm of life.
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The lightweight charms can be removed or added to the penca with ease by gently easing the right side open very slightly. It appears that a “key” or screw may be missing from the penca, but it still stays securely closed even without it. This wonderful pendant brooch has a natural patina and shows some signs of wear and aging which are consistent with its age.
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- Hallmark: RAGASTENS PRATA 85
- Metal: Silver (not Sterling)
- Finish: Very light, natural, patina
- Condition: Wonderful vintage
- Weight: 38.7 g
- Measurements: Approx. 1 1/4" L x 2 1/2" W (Longest charm approx. 2” L (the water ladle)
- Bale: Solid bale
- Clasp: C-Hook clasp
- Gift box and wrapping may vary.
Love One Another ~ Bella Morena
