{"product_id":"antique-african-tribal-ceremonial-bracelet","title":"Antique African Tribal Ceremonial Bracelet","description":"\u003ch3 data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA monumental cast bracelet built from figures, curves, and raised forms\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMeasuring approximately 7.5 inches across, this antique Nigerian bracelet is far larger and more sculptural than an ordinary item of personal jewelry. Its heavy circular body is surrounded by openwork figures, looping elements, and rounded projections, creating a dense composition that changes continuously as the object is turned.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFound in Nigeria and attributed to the Vere people of the Benue region, the bracelet was cast in bronze using the lost-wax process. Metal ornaments of this scale could communicate status, wealth, or ceremonial importance, and some related West African forms also circulated as stores of value or objects of exchange. Without a documented history for this individual piece, its precise wearer and original use remain unknown.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMetalwork from the Benue Region\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVere Attribution:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e The bracelet is attributed to the Vere, also known as Verre, whose communities are located around the upper Benue region of Nigeria and neighboring Cameroon.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLost-Wax Casting:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Vere metalworkers are known for figurative copper-alloy objects formed through lost-wax casting, a process in which each wax model is destroyed during production and each finished casting is individually made.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdornment and Prestige:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Large metal bracelets and armlets across West Africa could function as adornment, ceremonial regalia, displays of prosperity, or stores of material wealth. The role of this particular example is undocumented.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFigurative Design:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Human or composite forms appear within the openwork structure, joining ornament and sculpture within a wearable circular format.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCasting, Relief \u0026amp; Surface\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHeavy Bronze Construction:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e The substantial metal body gives the bracelet physical weight and a strongly dimensional profile.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOpenwork Composition:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Curved supports and small figures create openings between the bracelet’s inner wall and its outer decorative register.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRaised Bosses:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Rounded projections punctuate the circumference, establishing a repeating rhythm among the figurative elements.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAged Surface:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Brown tonal variation, oxidation, rubbed high points, and accumulated surface wear reveal the irregular character of the casting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProduct Details\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Cast bronze or copper alloy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eObject Type:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Ceremonial bracelet or armlet\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTechnique:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Lost-wax casting\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDesign:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Openwork figurative decoration with raised rounded forms\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approximately 7.5 in diameter x 3 in high\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eColor:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Aged brown bronze\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCulture:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Attributed to the Vere or Verre people\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Nigeria\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFound In:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Nigeria\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEra:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Antique; precise date undocumented\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaker:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Unknown\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eQuantity:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e One bracelet\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAntique condition with oxidation, surface wear, tonal variation, casting irregularities, blemishes, and other evidence of age and use. The bracelet is offered as a collectible cultural object; wearability has not been assessed. Please review the photographs closely for its individual condition and construction.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIdeal For\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollectors of Nigerian and Benue-region metalwork\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollections focused on African bracelets, armlets, currency forms, and prestige objects\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThose studying lost-wax casting and figurative ornament in West African art\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollectors drawn to objects that occupy the boundary between adornment and sculpture\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA significant gift for someone building a collection of antique African copper-alloy works\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEncircling the wrist form with figures and raised ornament, this substantial Nigerian bracelet preserves the complexity of lost-wax casting in an unusually sculptural scale.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"DE-COR | Globally Inspired","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67801117294899,"sku":"IMG_0679","price":695.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0959\/8566\/4307\/files\/UntitledDesign-2026-10-27T110010.410.png?v=1793124026","url":"https:\/\/atlasandkiln.com\/products\/antique-african-tribal-ceremonial-bracelet","provider":"Atlas \u0026 Kiln","version":"1.0","type":"link"}