Manilla bronze bracelet – West Africa – 19th/20th century

Description

Manila bronze bracelet from West Africa, 19th/20th century, with fine patina and austere, powerful shape. This type of bracelet was used for centuries as jewellery and trade money.

Origin & meaning
Manila money was a form of premonetary money in West Africa and served for the exchange of goods, as dowries and on ceremonial occasions. Their circulation was through European trade routes from the 16th century onwards. This historic manila bracelet comes from a private collection in Castricum.

Dimensions & condition
Diameter: 9.4 cm
Width: 0.5 cm
Condition: traces of use and a natural patina, appropriate to its age.

Product photographs show the object on offer exactly as photographed. Any interior images are AI-generated impressions, included solely to illustrate scale and presentation.