Manchette de bras de la société "ogboni", 19e siècle ·  Nigéria, Yoruba, Ijebu · ID: 3051076

Description

copper alloy (bronze, brass), old age patina

Beautiful piece in openwork design, depicting four seated figures and looped ribbon ornament “ibo”, a reference to royalty and aristocracy.

Excavation finds prove that these magnificent gauntlets were worn as arm decoration by particularly privileged persons. It is also probable that they were used on altars, where they served as a base for wooden or pumpkin calabashes.