Antique Verdigris Manilla Currency Bracelet

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This bronze exchange is a storied artifact of West African economic history. Known as a Manilla, these open-cuff bracelets served … Read more This bronze exchange is a storied artifact of West African economic history. Known as a Manilla, these open-cuff bracelets served as a primary form of currency across the West African coast for centuries. Cast in heavy copper alloy, bronze or brass, they were prized not only for their trade value but as a portable bank account worn on the wrists to display a family's wealth and liquid assets.

This specific piece is characterized by its iconic triple-ribbed architecture, a design that provided both structural strength and a high-status aesthetic. The surface is a landscape of time-earned history, featuring a deep, crusty chocolate patina with vibrant flecks of mineral verdigris in the recessed coves.

This Antique currency bracelet is a premier choice for Primitive Modern, Higher-End Boho, or Wabi-Sabi collections, looking particularly striking when grouped in a "treasury" cluster on a mantle or console.

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