1: A pair of heavy bangles from the Djerma people of Niger. With offset and flattened ends, and still visible remains of geometric linear engraving. Fully cast, very old, and certainly worn for many generations. Probably dating to the 19th century.

2: Two individual bracelets of the Dan (Ivory Coast, Liberia): one type decorated with four spikes on the outside, the other with three spheres. Both with very old usage patina.

3: A typical, single bangle, as worn by the women of the Frafra and Gurunsi in Burkina Faso. With two triangular, very broad ‘flanks’ terminating in braid patterns and spheres, which are connected by a ‘bridge’ decorated with spheres and braided pattern. A very characteristic type with old usage patina.

4: A tobacco pipe of brass, cast in two parts and joined together (pipe bowl and stem). A type of pipe which, based on its fine decoration, probably originates from the Senufo (Ivory Coast, Liberia). In addition a second pipe bowl of the same type, made of cast brass, with a pipe cleaner of iron suspended from the pipe bowl by an iron chain. Length: 28.5 cm (the complete pipe).

5: A small metal bottle cast from brass in ‘waste mould’ technique. The round, flat ‘body’ shows fine spiral decoration on both sides. Below, a short ‘standing foot’ protrudes out of the vessel. Surmounted by a longer, round neck with an enlarged, equally finely decorated spout. This beautiful, small brass bottle originates from the Senufo (Ivory Coast, Liberia) and probably served as a ‘powder flask’ for gunpowder or for storing tobacco. Good, old usage patina, no damage.

Seven of the eight objects in this mixed lot date from the first half of the 20th century, the bangle pair (‘no. 1’) is most probably older. (ME)

Provenance: Austrian private collection.