The Yoruba people live in the southwestern part of Nigeria. The Yoruba are among the most urbanized people in Africa. The Yorubas worked with a wide array of materials in their art including; bronze, leather, terracotta, ivory, textiles, copper, stone, carved wood, brass, ceramics and glass. They are responsible for one of the finest artistic traditions in Africa.
This bracelet is created by lost-wax casting. This is the process by which a duplicate metal sculpture (often silver, gold, brass or bronze) is cast from an original sculpture. Intricate works can be achieved by this method.
The art of bronze casting has a long and rich history in West Africa. In this tradition, a rough clay core is molded and then covered by a layer of bee's wax. The wax is carved and shaped into the desired design, then covered with more clay. Next, the mold is baked to melt and drain the wax, leaving an empty space between the inner and outer clay layers. Molten metal is carefully poured into the chamber, hardening to create the final shape. Finally, the outer layer of clay is chipped off, revealing the metal within.
To the Yoruba people of southern Nigeria, bronze was a rare and expensive material favored by the divine king, or Oba. Bronze never corrodes or rusts; thus, it represents the permanence and continuity of the royal lineage.
It is a marvelous piece of African history & a cuff of rich culture.
