A brass collar choker carries a polished Ankole cow horn disc, split down the center with a vertical brass inlay. The contrast — warm gold-tone metal against the deep, naturally marbled horn — reads sculptural and quiet.
- Material: Brass with Ankole cow horn and bone
- Size: Pendant - 2.25", Circumfrence about 14" Adjustable open
- Details: Open-front collar; round disc pendant with vertical brass inlay; smooth polished face
- Origin / Craft: Handcrafted by East African artisans, ethically sourced in Kenya
The collar's open front sits close to the throat while the disc rests low at the hollow. Each horn is naturally variegated, so no two discs read exactly alike — subtle striations and deeper pools of color run through the polished surface. The brass holds its warm gold-tone finish and resists tarnishing over time.
Care: Wipe with a soft cloth; for the brass, a mild paste of baking soda and lemon restores shine.
design: An open-front brass collar suspends a round, polished Ankole cow horn disc at the throat, split by a single vertical brass inlay for a clean, sculptural line.
size: Pendant disc approximately 2.25" across; collar circumference about 14", adjustable at the open front.
material: Brass with Ankole cow horn and bone.
features: Open-front adjustable collar, polished horn disc pendant, vertical brass inlay, tarnish-resistant brass finish
care: Wipe the horn and brass with a soft, dry cloth after wear, and if the brass dulls, buff it gently with a paste of baking soda and lemon juice.
disclaimer: Each horn disc is cut from a natural, naturally marbled material, so striations and color pooling vary piece to piece and no two necklaces read exactly alike.
The Story
Ankole cattle, raised across East Africa and prized for their long, dramatic horns, are a working part of the region's rural economy. Rather than discard the horn once an animal is processed for meat and hide, Kenyan artisans have long repurposed it into buttons, combs, and jewelry components — a practical material tradition built on using every part of a durable, naturally patterned resource.
Cutting the horn into a flat disc and polishing it to a glassy sheen is a distinctly contemporary move on that old material. It turns something agricultural and functional into wearable sculpture, letting the horn's natural marbling — the pooling and striation that occurs as it grows — stand in for the inlay or stone work another piece might use.
Paired with brass, a metal with a long working history in East African jewelry and metalware, the vertical inlay running through the disc acts as both a structural spine and a design signature, visually tying the pendant back to the polished brass of the collar itself.
The horn arrives at the workshop as an offcut of the cattle trade, material that would otherwise go to waste. Artisans saw it into a flat disc, then sand and buff the face by hand through successive grits until the surface takes on a deep, glassy polish that brings out the horn's natural striping. The brass collar and inlay are shaped and finished as separate pieces, then joined to the disc with a simple loop so the pendant swings freely and sits low at the throat.
Craft & Materials
- Made In: Kenya
- Craft Tradition: Horn and brass craft, Kenya
- Ideal For: Someone who wants a bold, sculptural statement necklace built around a warm, natural material
- Wear It With: Wear with a simple crew or V-neck top so the collar sits close to the throat and the disc has room to stand on its own
- Purpose: Statement necklace, everyday wear, gifting
- Metal: Brass
Questions & Answers
What is the pendant made from?
The disc is cut from Ankole cow horn, a natural material with bone accents, polished to a smooth, glassy finish.
Will the brass tarnish?
Brass naturally resists tarnish, but a light patina can develop with wear over time; buffing with a paste of baking soda and lemon juice restores its warm shine.
Is the necklace adjustable?
Yes. The collar has an open front you can gently flex to fit, with a circumference of about 14".
Will my necklace look exactly like the one in the photo?
Not exactly. Each horn disc is cut from a natural material, so the striations and color pooling are unique to your piece.
How should I store it?
Keep it away from moisture and perfume, and store it separately from other jewelry so the polished horn face doesn't get scratched.
