West African Cast Brass Bracelet, Possibly Senufo Culture, Côte d’Ivoire / Mali Region, Lost-Wax Cast

A cast brass open bracelet with flattened terminals and a richly textured surface, featuring raised oval and rounded elements along the upper register. The form and decorative language are consistent with metalwork traditions of the Senufo cultural sphere, spanning northern Côte d’Ivoire, southern Mali, and adjacent regions. Bracelets of this type functioned as personal adornment and could also carry social or symbolic significance within local systems of identity and status.

The bracelet is cast using the lost-wax technique, a process widely practiced in West Africa, allowing for integrated modelling and individually finished surfaces. The present example shows even wear, surface oxidation, and a stable patina indicative of age and use. The sculptural relief elements may reference stylised natural forms, a recurring feature in Senufo-associated metalwork. Objects of this type are valued for their material presence, traditional manufacture, and cultural context within West African casting practices.

Circa: 20th century

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

Measurements:
Outer diameter 7.2 cm
Inner diameter 5.28 cm
Width 1.4 cm

Weight: 121 g