Minimalism meets raw beauty in this striking statement necklace. A single bold disc of polished natural horn hangs gracefully from a hand-formed brass collar, blending earthy materials with sculptural elegance.
Key Features:
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Design: Open brass collar necklace with a large circular horn pendant
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Size: 15" circumference collar; 4.25" pendant drop
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Material: Hand-hammered brass and natural horn
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Features: Bold silhouette, rustic finish, artisanal craftsmanship
- Origin: Handmade in Kenya
The generous horn pendant, rich with subtle grain and tone variation, adds natural dimension to the clean brass arc. Hand-hammered details and minor imperfections make each necklace one-of-a-kind—a piece with soul and story.
Care & Disclaimer: This necklace is handmade using natural materials. Expect variations in horn color and surface texture. To maintain the finish, avoid contact with water and store in a dry, cool place. Wipe with a soft cloth as needed.
design: An open, hand-formed brass collar sits close to the neck like a slim torque, with a single large disc of polished natural horn suspended from its front as a bold, minimalist pendant.
size: 15" collar circumference; 4.25" pendant drop.
material: Hand-hammered brass with a natural horn pendant.
features: Open collar construction, hand-hammered brass texture, large circular horn pendant, natural grain and tone variation in the horn, rustic hand-finished surface
care: Keep the necklace dry and store it in a cool, dry place, wiping it with a soft cloth as needed rather than exposing it to water.
disclaimer: Because the pendant is cut from natural horn and the collar is hand-hammered by hand, expect variation in horn color, grain, and surface finish from piece to piece.
The Story
Horn is a long-standing material in East African jewelry making, valued for the way its natural grain and translucency catch light differently in every piece. Rather than being carved into figures, horn like this is often cut, sanded, and polished into clean geometric forms — discs, arcs, cuffs — that let the material's own banding and color shifts do the work, an approach that favors the material's natural character over added ornament.
The open collar, or torque-style neckpiece, is a form found in metalwork across Kenya, built to sit at the collarbone without a clasp. Working brass into a rigid open band takes controlled, repeated hammering to shape and harden the metal evenly so the collar holds its curve and springs open just enough to slip over the head.
Pairing a hand-formed brass collar with a single oversized horn disc is a distinctly modern styling of these two traditional materials — brass valued for its workability and warm color, horn for its individuality — brought together into one bold, sculptural silhouette rather than a smaller, traditional multi-piece set.
A piece like this starts with two separate processes that meet at the very end. The brass collar is cut to length and hand-hammered into its open, curved form, with the artisan working the metal in stages to harden it and set the exact curve so it holds its shape at the neckline. Separately, the horn is cut into a disc, then sanded and polished by hand through successive grits until the surface is smooth and the natural grain and tonal variation come through. The finished horn pendant is then fitted and hung from the front of the brass collar, so the necklace comes together as two hand-worked elements joined into one piece.
Craft & Materials
- Made In: Kenya
- Craft Tradition: Hand-hammered brass collar with cut and polished natural horn
- Ideal For: Someone who wants a sculptural, minimalist statement piece with an artisan-made feel
- Wear It With: Let it anchor a simple V-neck or crew-neck top so the collar and pendant sit visibly against bare skin
- Purpose: Statement necklace, everyday bold jewelry, gifting
- Metal: Brass
Questions & Answers
Will the open collar fit different neck sizes?
Yes — the brass collar is an open, hand-formed band designed to flex slightly so it slips on without a clasp and sits comfortably at the collarbone.
Is every horn pendant exactly the same?
No. Because the pendant is cut from natural horn and hand-polished, color, grain, and tone vary from piece to piece, so your necklace will be unique.
How do I keep the brass and horn looking their best?
Avoid contact with water, store the necklace in a dry, cool place, and wipe it with a soft cloth as needed rather than using cleaning chemicals.
Will the brass tarnish over time?
Brass can naturally develop a warmer patina with wear and air exposure; wiping it down after wear and keeping it dry helps slow that change.
Is the necklace heavy to wear?
The pendant is a generous, substantial disc, so it has presence, but the open brass collar is designed to rest evenly at the base of the neck rather than pull on it.
