Swahili decorations, similar to those found on furniture and household items along the Tanzanian coast, adorn the geometrically-shaped body of this fine double pronged hair pin. The surface of the hair pin exhibits a smooth worn patina from handling and use.
Elaborate hair pins such as this would have been given as bridal or dowry gifts by a Kwere man to a woman, often by a father of the bride to his daughter. Kept as a symbol of marriage, these prized possessions would be passed down the generations.
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