West African Cast Brass Spiked Bangle Bracelet, Burkina Faso / Ghana Region, Lost-Wax

A cast brass bangle of open circular form with evenly spaced conical and blunt projections, attributed to the West African region of present-day Burkina Faso and northern Ghana. Bracelets of this type were worn as personal adornment and are part of a broader metalworking tradition in which copper alloys signified wealth, identity, and social position. Comparable forms are documented across several cultural groups, including Lobi, Akan-related, and neighbouring communities.

The bracelet is cast in a single piece using the lost-wax process, visible in the integral construction and subtle surface irregularities. The band is decorated with a repeating textured motif, while the projecting elements are individually modelled prior to casting. Surface wear and patination are consistent with age and handling. Such examples are collected within the field of West African metalwork for their sculptural form and technical execution.

Circa: 19th–early 20th century (attributed)

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

Measurements:
Outside diameter: 8.52 cm
Inner diameter: 4.67 cm
Height: 6.3 cm
Weight:
82 g