Antique Afro-Brazilian Silver Tone Bahia Penca de Balangandan Brooch Chatelaine

A "penca de balangandan" is a traditional Afro-Brazilian amulet, essentially a collection of charms strung together on a holder, with its history deeply rooted in the experiences of enslaved Africans brought to Brazil, where it served as a way to maintain cultural identity and seek protection through spiritual symbolism, often incorporating both African deities and Catholic saints depending on the individual's beliefs.