West Africa, Nigeria, Yoruba, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. This is a fine collection of brass beads and rings strung on a cotton cord to store currency pieces and wear as a belt or necklace. There are 34 thick spherical beads and 20 rings decorated with incised crosshatched lines, and 4 rings with lengthy spikes added to the shank; each brass item is cast via the lost wax (cire perdue) method. The brass beads were used as currency to trade and wear as visual makers of wealth and status. Size (strand doubled): 30" L (76.2 cm); (spiked rings): 3.5" L x 1" Diameter (8.9 cm x 2.5 cm)
Cf. The Hood Museum of Art, accession number 985.7.26434
Provenance: private Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA collection; ex-Dr. David Harner collection, Springdale, Arkansas, USA, acquired between the 1950s and 1960s
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#168473
Condition
Toning and patina on beads, and heavy green patina on 2 beads. Indentations, abrasions, and nicks to beads, with some minor casting imperfections. Fraying to cotton cord and discoloration. Not recommended for wearing due to age of cotton cord.