Ngombe Bronze Bracelet Currency

A fat green-brown cuff wrapped in ridges like a spring.

This bronze bracelet currency is Ngombe, from Republic of Congo, Central Africa, and dates to the 19th century. The Ngombe live in the Congo River basin, a region where brass, bronze and copper ornaments were long used in trade and in the payment of bridewealth. A wide, drum-shaped open band with many horizontal grooves around the outer surface. The opening is a narrow gap with squared ends, and the surface is brown with green-tinged corrosion. It is 3.5 inches wide and 2 deep.

Ringed all the way down and unbothered by age.