Four Bracelets

Igbo (Nigeria; Coastal West Africa)

Probably 19th century

Medium
Ivory
Classification
Costume and Accessories
Dimensions
8.3 × 12.7 × 10.2 cm (3 1/4 × 5 × 4 in.); 8.3 × 10.8 × 9.5 cm (3 1/4 × 4 1/4 × 3 3/4 in.); 7.9 × 10.8 × 8.3 cm (3 1/8 × 4 1/4 × 3 1/4 in.); 7.6 × 8.9 × 7 cm (3 × 3 1/2 × 2 3/4 in.)
Culture
Nigeria
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago, Arts of Africa
Credit line
Gift of Richard Faletti, the Faletti Family Collection
Rights
Public domain (CC0), as the museum states it.
Who can see it
Tweens profiles and older: its subjects are known and suit older children. How works are placed

View at the Art Institute of Chicago

About this work

Nigerians have worn ivory jewelry for generations. Ivory was a favored medium for jewelry for both its ease of carving and its supple feel against the skin. These bracelets have turned a warm, honey color through the interaction of the ivory with oils on the skin.

Description © Art Institute of Chicago, CC BY 4.0