Edo Bronze Armlet, Benin Kingdom Nigeria

Benin Kingdom, southern Nigeria
Lost-wax cast bronze

From the Egon Guenther Collection

This sculptural bronze armlet was produced by the Edo people of southern Nigeria, within the artistic tradition of the historic Benin Kingdom. Cast using the lost-wax (cire perdue) technique, each example was individually made, resulting in subtle variations in form and surface.
The armlet’s segmented structure, heavy walls, and textured exterior are characteristic of Benin court metalwork. In Edo society, bronze was a prestigious material, reserved for elite, ceremonial, and courtly use. Objects of this type functioned not merely as adornment, but as markers of rank, authority, and affiliation, as well as stores of regulated wealth.

This example displays a deep, mature surface with areas of natural wear and patination consistent with age and use. Its strong sculptural presence reflects the importance of bronze within Edo visual culture, where form and material conveyed power as much as ornament.

The armlet comes from the Egon Guenther Collection, noted for its focus on early and authentic African metalwork acquired prior to the widespread circulation of later reproductions.

Dimensions
External dimensions:
•   Length: 93.55 mm 
•   Width: 74 m
•   Thickness: 29.73 mm
Internal opening:
•   Length: 5
•   Width: 49.9 mm
weight 570 grams