Bronze Flared Anklet with Curved Design
Dublin Core
Title
Bronze Flared Anklet with Curved Design
Culture
Islamic
Description
[One of] three objects [that] are likely manillas, which are oval or C-shaped metal bracelets or anklets with flaring ends. Starting in the 16th century CE, manillas were used as a form of currency in northern Africa, and cultures such as the Tuareg, the Senufo, the Igbo, and Islamic cultures wore them to display their wealth. Because these bracelets could always be used to trade for goods in northern Africa, Europeans adopted manillas to trade for slaves, and for this reason manillas earned the name “slave bracelets” or “slave money”.
[This piece is one of] two Bronze Flared Anklets [and has] many dents and bent areas, suggesting that they were well used and long-cherished before they were collected. Although the two objects differ considerably in their details, their very similar overall design suggests they were made by the same artist. They were likely made using the lost-wax casting process, which involved making a wax model for the anklet, forming the intricate details through molding, carving, and weaving wax threads into delicate designs, and then using the wax model to create a clay mold for a bronze casting. The fine details and the regular form of the final anklets attests to the strong skills of this artisan.
Research by Christy Mustari, 2008, Missouri State University Student. Mentor: Dr. Billie Follensbee
[This piece is one of] two Bronze Flared Anklets [and has] many dents and bent areas, suggesting that they were well used and long-cherished before they were collected. Although the two objects differ considerably in their details, their very similar overall design suggests they were made by the same artist. They were likely made using the lost-wax casting process, which involved making a wax model for the anklet, forming the intricate details through molding, carving, and weaving wax threads into delicate designs, and then using the wax model to create a clay mold for a bronze casting. The fine details and the regular form of the final anklets attests to the strong skills of this artisan.
Research by Christy Mustari, 2008, Missouri State University Student. Mentor: Dr. Billie Follensbee
Century
20th
Item Dimensions
8.5 cm h. x 7.5 cm w. x 10 cm d.
Medium
Sculpture
Materials
Bronze
Techniques
Casting
Provenance
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Stoneman
Acession Number
1985.63
Accession Year
1985
Photo Number
20150038