Mystery brass ... jewelry??

Hi all! Happy 2025

I have a head scratcher here - I've had it a while but no closer to figuring out what it is - hoping the good people here will know instantly

I bought it in France but I dont think it's from here. I got it because it's heavy, felt nice and worn smooth to the touch, is hand formed - plus I like a mystery! I didn't spend much on it it was in an 'everything for 1 euro' scrap box.

Dimensions are 18cm x 10cm

I used lens of course and it didnt have many matches, though it did come up with ankle bracelets - I tried it out and my foot goes in but the form is very flat so falls straight off the back again. So I'm not sure about that.

Would love to hear what you think! Thanks for looking

 

Thank you! But it's rounded on every side, so no way this is a frame

 

If the central piece was held in with some sort of clips, it could function in this capacity. I don't see any wear to indicate this, but would not rule it out just yet.

 

Something like this perhaps?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/184764555469

Debora

 

Thank you for the suggestion! I see what you're thinking but I really don't think the swivel mirror is right. It's definitely not a frame because no one would make it all rounded on all sides as it is. Also it takes some precision to make that sort of thing work and this is definitely not a factory made thing or even enough to function like that - it's all hand hammered and not very precise. Also I don't think it matches with the all over wear patterns - the patina and smoothness indicates it has been worn in some fashion....I keep wondering if it's not jewelry if it's some kind of fabric fastener or adornment?

 

I never rule anything out but the form being rounded all the way around and it being so roughly made indicates this is not its function. I'm sure it has had a lot of 'touch' over its life, it was made to be worn or handled in some way. It's really hard to capture that in pictures but the feel is very smooth all the way around, no ridges as you'd expect with a frame or clips.

 

The circular end piece where the gilding is worn or missing looks like it was mounted in something, or mounted to it. The other end doesn't appear to have this. Is that correct?

 

Yes one end has what looks like a notch the other is smooth all around. I did look for signs that they were both mounted on a stand after the suggestion of a mirror but they aren't the same that way. It looks like the notch is from irregularities at the time of making though, to me...could be on purpose though!

 

african bronze is as close as I can get.... with no assurance it's like yours..

 

this India bronze may be closer....on one side at least..

 

Thank you! The form is very similar by the looks, looks like that one is quite flat too though I can't be sure from one Pic. Can't quite figure why mine has 2 nodes on the end though!

 

Yes I had seen this one - quite curved on the side profile though which would make it a better fit over the foot. Maybe its a foot piece but ties on to something else?

 

Searching with bronze rather than brass brought up a lot more matches so thank you for that @@komokwa ! This one is the the Metropolitan Museum much more ornate but 2 nodes and a similar type of emblem for the design...? Might be getting closer!

Title: Anklet

Date: 19th–20th century

Geography: Ghana

Culture: Frafra peoples

Medium: Bronze

Dimensions: W. 3 5/16 x L. 5 5/16 in. (8.4 x 13.5 cm)

 

not there yet , but I think on the right track..

 

The bits on the ends...laces of some sort?

 

Try this on for size......... pun.. intended !!!!!

https://www.faganarms.com/en-ca/products/ashanti-woman-s-fighting-anklet



.or.......

https://historygiftstore.com/products/ashanti-woman-s-fighting-anklet-was-155-00-now-108-50




funny..... seems both the same....... but best lead I could find !!!!!!

 

I have no way of knowing if the attribution is correct..... but I do believe it's the same item as yours , @KylieS !

 

T

Thank you ! That's the same type of object for sure, but not sure I'm 100% on board with the description ;/ It is the same crowd offering it in 7 or 8 different places by the look of it...they are also offering a certificate of authenticity with it (with the key selling point that "it won't go yellow!" LOL) so I can't help but feel a little suspicious of the use of the object! I'll do a little more research and see what I can find out of the traditional use of such objects, but I think it is adornment and it is African. I'll update if I find anything out! Thanks so much again :-D

 

It is the same crowd offering it in 7 or 8 different places ...

at different prices......?

Things that make you go.... Hummmmm !!!