About the collection
The collection De Ruijter-Van Santen consists of over 300 pieces of personal adornment made of aluminium. The jewellery comes from various parts of the African continent. Ruud de Ruijter and Anneke van Santen travelled widely throughout Africa, and collected adornment and other objects made of aluminium.
This important collection offers a wide range of objects and showcases how aluminium has become part and parcel of traditional attire. Its value for the understanding of materials in jewellery is immense. The collection has been published in the publication Aluminium Adorned, which can be ordered from the Qilada Foundation as well.
We are currently working to photograph each piece in detail and to provide accurate descriptions and cultural background information as well as references.
Qilada 