Four Bracelets
Igbo
Probably 19th century
Medium
Ivory
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.)
Classification
bracelet (jewelry)
Department
Arts of Africa
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
185865
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
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.