West- Africa Primitive Money 19th / Early 20th Century Heavy Cast Copper-Alloy Arm Ring (Store of Value)

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West Africa – Heavy Cast Copper-Alloy Arm Ring (Store of Value) – 19th / Early 20th Century
Description

Heavy open arm ring of cast copper alloy, attributed to West Africa and dating to the 19th to early 20th century. The object is crescent-shaped with a thick, rounded cross-section and open terminals, allowing it to be worn on the forearm. Arm rings of this type are well documented in West Africa as prestige objects and stores of value within non-monetised exchange systems.

The exterior is decorated with finely executed dotted bands running parallel to the edges, combined with shallow incised linear ornamentation. The decorative elements are restrained and repetitive, consistent with functional value objects rather than purely ornamental jewellery. The interior surface is plain and slightly concave, showing wear consistent with prolonged use and handling.

The surface displays a stable, aged patina ranging from dark brown to greenish tones, characteristic of long-term oxidation of copper alloys. The substantial weight and robust construction indicate that the object’s value was primarily derived from material and mass rather than symbolic or iconographic meaning.

Such arm rings circulated in social and economic contexts related to wealth display, exchange, and evident prestige, rather than functioning as standardized currency.

Material: copper alloy (bronze/brass)
Weight: approx. 678 g
Outer diameter: approx. 11 cm
Form: heavy open arm ring
Region: West Africa
Period: 19th – early 20th century

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