Exclusive Bronze Disc Bracelet – Koma / Frafra- Ghana - 1880-1920

This exceptional tribal ornament is a masterpiece of West African casting, originating from the border region between Northern Ghana and Burkina Faso. The bracelet was crafted using the complex cire perdue (lost-wax) method and immediately stands out due to its monumental, sculptural composition featuring five imposing, circular discs around a central open ring.

Each disc is hand-decorated with delicate spiral and herringbone motifs in relief. Within the Koma and Frafra cultures, these concentric circles carry a deep symbolic meaning; they refer to the cycle of life, fertility, and the everlasting connection with the ancestors. Such precious objects were worn as prestigious status symbols by prominent women, or functioned as ritual offering and dowry objects with a powerful, protective effect.

The bracelet bears witness to decades of intensive tribal use. This has resulted in a magnificent, layered patina: deep brownish-grey to olive-green oxidation tones in the deeper areas alternate with authentic earthy deposits, while the prominent parts have acquired a lighter, characteristic bronze sheen due to friction.

This rare collector's item is in excellent, original condition and is presented on a custom-made, matte black stand.

Provenance: Ex-collection Francis de Corte. Dating: Ca. 1880 – 1920. Width bracelet: 19.5 cm Height bracelet: approx. 14 cm Height including stand: 21.5 cm Total weight: 581 grams

A museum-quality masterpiece with a rock-solid provenance, which forms an absolute enrichment both aesthetically and historically for the discerning collector of ethnographica.

Value indication: Given the rarity of the type, the sublime casting quality, and the strong provenance (De Corte), the museum market value lies between € 650.- and € 850.-.