We don't know too much about these pendants, except that we really liked them. They are made of heavy brass, and originate in Ethiopia. They look and feel very old, like a coin that has been in circulation for 90 or 100 years. The photos are from the top. The center circle projects out about a quarter of an inch, and looks for all the world like a nipple. They remind us of something you might see in the costumes of a Biblical epic movie about the Queen of Sheba. Really unique. The four holes make them really easy to use in creating your own jewelry.