A vintage African bracelet made from Bronze and/or Copper. These manilla, named after the Portuguese or Spanish word for bangle were a form of currency in regions throughout Africa where metal had value in society. Wikipedia have an informative page on Manilla.
We often have a collection of these in store. You can find others at the link below.
Makers mark / hallmarks: none
Sourced: in Normandy, France
Origin: African
Age: circa 1930-50’s
Known background: none, came to us as part of an extensive collection of historical African pieces
Materials: bronze and/or copper
Size roughly: very large 5.6 x 4.4 x 0.6 inches – 14 x 11 x 1.5 cm – internally roughly 4.4 x 3 inches – 11 x 7.5 cm
Weight roughly: 650g
Condition: in vintage condition with signs of previous use, patina and tarnish, dings and scrapes, very solid piece