This was a gift to Queen Elizabeth II from President Artur da Costa e Silva of Brazil during her State Visit to Brazil in 1968
Balangandã means "charms" - this tradition is believed to have originated with African slaves who wore them as protective talismans or amulets. Brazilian women then started wearing them on feast days.
This particular Balangandã is made of gold and enamel, and depicts fish, fruit like pomegranates, a tambourine, a scarab tooth as a symbol of love amongst the charms. The charms are held on a gold ring topped by a starfish, a symbol of the Inca water goddess.