Bracelet
Unknown Artist
14th century (?)
Medium
Copper alloy
Dimensions
Diam. 3 5/16 in. (8.5 cm)
Classification
Metal-Ornaments
Culture
Middle Niger civilization
Department
Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Drs. John and Nicole Dintenfass, 1998
Accession Number
1998.480.11
Art Historical Context
This elegant copper alloy bracelet, dating to the 14th (or thereabouts), hails from the Middle Niger civilization in West Africa, a vibrant culture centered in the Inland Niger Delta region of modern Mali. Measuring just 3 5/16 inches (8.5 cm) in diameter, it the refined metalworking traditions of this era, when communities thrived through agriculture, trade, and craftsmanship along the Niger River. Such ornaments were more than mere jewelry—they likely served as symbols of status, identity, or ritual significance in daily life and ceremonies. Crafted from durable copper alloy, the bracelet h...