Benin Bronze Bangle 107I

A Benin bronze bangle, cast by the traditional lost-wax method used across West Africa — a wax model is encased in clay, then heated so the wax melts away and molten bronze is poured into the resulting mould, leaving a unique piece once the clay is chipped away.

Bangles like this historically served as a form of currency and status symbol, their value held in both the metal itself and the intricacy of the ornamentation, and were traditionally forged onto a bride's arm as part of her wedding dowry.

Size: 13cm D x 22cm H.