Description:

West Africa, Ivory Coast, Senufo people, ca. early 20th century CE. A pair of heavy brass bracelets, each a solid cuff with flared terminals and central band, and each with light relief horizontal decorative bands around their bodies. One is longer than the other. These would have served as auspicious, wearable signifiers of wealth for their owners. Heavy copper alloy bracelets are known from this region of Africa from the 8th century CE onward, but after 1439, their form changed. That was when the Portuguese began to import brass "manillas" manufactured in Antwerp and Amsterdam to be used as trade currency. Local people took the manillas, melted down the brass, and reformed them into jewelry that doubled as transportable currency within their communities. Size: 3.25" W x 4.45" H (8.3 cm x 11.3 cm); 5.5" H (14 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Glendale, Arizona, USA collection, collected from 1970 to 2000

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#152391

  • Condition: The smaller of the two has a small loss near its middle; the other is intact. Both have light wear commensurate with age including small chips, nicks, and scratches. Great patina.

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January 30, 2020 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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