This old bracelet is most probably from the northern region of Nigeria. The blacksmith would have used the lost wax process to create it. These types of bracelets were used a bracelets by women want to show the wealth of their husbands. The bracelets were also used as currency. The early Portuguese noted this. The result of this observation was the creation of ‘manilla’ which was a crescent ring with flared ends of a wearable size. The early copper manilla was overtaken in the 1780’s by brass manilla’s which were predominately manufactured in Birmingham England. The manilla’s were used to such an extent to trade for slaves that they become known as ‘slave traded money’. This anklet is quite lovely. The age-induced chocolate like patina of the smooth parts of the anklet contrasts starkly with the lighter coloured grooves of the pattern and designs. This anklet is quite heavy and bears signs of oxidisation in the inner part of the anklet. This anklet is a wonderful piece of collectable historical art.