Akan Cast Bronze Prestige Bracelet (Currency Bracelet), West AfricaCirca late 19th – early 20th century

This substantial cast bronze/brass bracelet is a classic West African prestige and currency bracelet, produced using the lost-wax (cire perdue) casting technique. The heavy annular form, accented with raised nodular bosses, is characteristic of bracelets worn and circulated within the Akan cultural sphere, with close parallels among related Baule traditions.

Such bracelets functioned as markers of wealth, social rank, and authority, and were also employed as stores of value and mediums of exchange in regional trade networks. The pronounced wear, rich patination, and slight casting irregularities are consistent with prolonged use and hand-finishing.

The interior bears an “HH” mark, attributable to Hans Himmelheber, whose fieldwork and collections form the backbone of many major museum holdings of African art. This example comes from the Egon Guenther collection, further strengthening its documented provenance.

Circa late 19th – early 20th century

Dimensions
Outside diameter: 95 mm
Inside diameter: 62 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight: 475 grams