Brass Manilla-Form Bracelet, Akan Culture, Ghana, Lost-Wax Cast

A substantial brass bracelet of open circular “manilla” form, associated with Akan metalworking traditions of present-day Ghana. Objects of this type occupy a dual position within West African material culture—serving both as personal adornment and, historically, as a recognised medium of exchange. The restrained yet deliberate incised decoration, composed of repeating arc and spiral motifs, reflects a visual language closely tied to Akan goldweight and metalwork traditions.

Cast using the lost-wax process, the bracelet displays the hallmarks of individual production: slight asymmetry, softened transitions, and a surface that records both casting and prolonged handling. The interior shows areas of wear consistent with use, while the exterior retains clear decorative articulation. Pieces of this scale and weight are increasingly appreciated not only for their ethnographic context, but for their sculptural presence and material integrity.

Circa: 19th–early 20th century

Provenance:
Egon Guenther Collection — by descent to the Thomas Guenther Collection

Measurements:
Outer width 7.9 cm
Inner width 4.9 cm
Outer height 6.4 cm
Inner height 3.8 cm
Thickness approx. 1.6 cm

Weight:
229 g