Unknown Fulani (Fulbe/Peul) artist (Mali)
Yellow amber beads, 20th century
yellow amber, fiber string
L.1.2010.4
Amber offers unique, compelling insight into earth’s history and ecological development. Constituted of fossilized resin from prehistoric trees, amber often encases and preserves the detritus of forests and insects from over 40 million years ago. It’s a repository of life far before us that situates humanity’s relative insignificance in the stretch of geologic time. Amber also inspires the human imagination—in parts of Africa, yellow amber (like the beads on this necklace) is considered to bear some influence over cosmic light/shadow, attracting sunlight and repelling darkness. It further offers protection to its wearer.