West African Cast Brass Bracelet (Manilla Form), Nigeria, 19th Century

A cast brass bracelet of circular “manilla” form, characterised by its open-ended structure with slightly flared terminals. This form is historically associated with West Africa, where such objects functioned both as personal adornment and, in broader contexts, as indicators of status and exchange. The compact proportions and substantial weight suggest use as a wearable ornament rather than large-scale currency examples.

The bracelet is cast and subsequently finished by hand, with visible tooling and surface variation consistent with traditional metalworking practices. The patina shows even age-related wear, with minor abrasions and casting irregularities retained. The form and surface condition support a 19th-century attribution. Objects of this type are widely collected for their historical role in regional economies and their sculptural simplicity.

Circa: 19th century

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

Measurements:
Outer length 7.98 cm
Inner length 5.6 cm
Thickness 1.14 cm
Weight: 168 g