EG 026 – Cast Bronze Lobi Currency Bracelet

This substantial cast bronze currency bracelet originates from the Lobi people of West Africa, historically used as a form of wealth storage and bride-price currency. The bracelet is formed as a heavy open cuff, decorated with closely spaced horizontal ribbing and a raised central band punctuated by nodular elements. Its bold, architectural construction reflects the Lobi aesthetic, where sculptural mass and material value were prioritised over ornamental delicacy.

The bracelet was produced using the lost-wax casting (cire perdue) technique, a traditional metallurgical process widely practised by Lobi metalworkers. Such objects functioned not merely as adornment, but as proto-currency, exchanged during marriage negotiations, inheritance, and displays of social standing.

The dense weight and utilitarian form clearly distinguish this piece from decorative jewellery traditions. Surface patination and wear are consistent with age, handling, and prolonged circulation as a valued economic and cultural object.

Provenance: From the Egon Guenther collection, an established European collection of African ethnographic material.

Dimensions
Outside Diameter: 62 mm
Inside Diameter: 49 mm
Thickness: 5.12 mm
Weight: 199 grams