African Heritage Necklace of silver andAlan Donovan Phillips LeitchNone

  • Art movementEthnographic Photography
  • MuseumAfrican Heritage House

Alan Donovan Phillips Leitch (1946 – 2021)

Alan Donovan (1946-2021): Kenyan artist & Pan-African visionary. Creator of vibrant African Heritage necklaces – malachite, brass, beads – and co-founder of Nairobi’s iconic African Heritage House.

African Heritage House (Nairobi, Kenya)

Explore African Heritage House in Nairobi: a cultural gem showcasing Pan-African art, textiles & design. Discover traditional crafts, heritage, and contemporary expressions of African creativity. A unique museum experience awaits!

An African Heritage Necklace designed and created by Alan Donovan of African Heritage. It is made of hollow silver or silver alloy baubles from Lamu (probably originating in Yemen) with “False Coral” beads from Nigeria. In the old Kingdom of Benin, coral was the bead used on all royal regalia and was reserved only for the royalty on penalty of death, unless presented to commoners in a “ceremony of the beads” similar to knighthood in Europe. Thus commoners created a glass bead that resembled coral which they could wear. Most of these beads are very old as coral beads were first brought in by the Portuguese in 1492.

About this artwork

  • Title: African Heritage Necklace of silver and
  • Artist: Alan Donovan Phillips Leitch
  • Format: Portrait
  • Copyright status: Under copyright
  • Where to see it: African Heritage House
  • Movement: Ethnographic Photography
  • Color palette: Pastels
  • Main color: White
  • Keywords: pan-african design, benin royal regalia, ethnographic photography
  • Color hue: Amber to Saffron

Questions & Answers

How do the colors of "African Heritage Necklace of silver and" relate to each other?

The color harmony of "African Heritage Necklace of silver and" is recorded as softly mixed palette.

What art movement does "African Heritage Necklace of silver and" by Alan Donovan Phillips Leitch belong to?

"African Heritage Necklace of silver and" by Alan Donovan Phillips Leitch belongs to the Ethnographic Photography movement. This movement provides the stylistic context of the work.

Who created "African Heritage Necklace of silver and"?

"African Heritage Necklace of silver and" was created by Alan Donovan Phillips Leitch. The information on this page describes Alan Donovan Phillips Leitch's original work.

Do the colors of "African Heritage Necklace of silver and" appear strong or soft?

"African Heritage Necklace of silver and" by Alan Donovan Phillips Leitch shows a monochromatic color intensity.

Which artist and which style stand behind "African Heritage Necklace of silver and"?

Behind "African Heritage Necklace of silver and" stand Alan Donovan Phillips Leitch and the Ethnographic Photography movement.

Can "African Heritage Necklace of silver and" by Alan Donovan Phillips Leitch, held at the African Heritage House, be legally reproduced?

"African Heritage Necklace of silver and" by Alan Donovan Phillips Leitch, held at the African Heritage House, is still protected by copyright. This status determines whether reproductions of the image may be made.

How do movement and era meet in "African Heritage Necklace of silver and" by Alan Donovan Phillips Leitch?

"African Heritage Necklace of silver and" belongs to the Ethnographic Photography movement, and its creator worked in the Modern era.

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