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419 Great King Street Dunedin, New Zealand

Ornament, D25.1491

Physical Description

Jewellery. Possibly leglet, though diameter appears rather large for such. Circular 'bracelet' constructed of multiple strands of thin twisted wires again twisted to form larger strands and eventually one cable.
Two 'bundles' of wire of different colours twisted around one another to form the single cable. One bundle of wires appears to be a dark almost reddish iron colour. The other bundle appears to be of a lighter shiny appearance, almost a dull brass.
The apparent ends of the cable have been tied together with two knots,each of 4 single strands of wire.

Research Notes

Consistent with original notes referring to as "Ashanti".

Notes indicate "Kumasi", which is a large town in the heart of Ashanti culture of Ghana, West Africa

Jewellery. Possibly leglet, though diameter appears rather large for such. Circular 'bracelet' constructed of multiple strands of thin twisted wires again twisted to form larger strands and eventually one cable. It is unclear as to whether the 'cable' is originally one of commercial intent (e.g. structural guide wires to hold telephone poles in place) which has been 'seconded' as use in jewellery or whether the strands have been specifically braided/woven as jewellery. The apparent ends of the cable have been tied together with two knots,each of 4 single strands of wire. Close examination suggests that there are two 'bundles' of wire of different colours twisted around one another to form the single cable. One bundle of wires appears to be a dark almost reddish iron colour. The other bundle appears to be of a lighter shiny appearance, almost a dull brass or even silver colour. It is unclear if the two bundles differ because of material or because of a possible coating or 'dye'.

Diameter of 'bracelet' from outside to outside = approx. 193mm. Diameter of 'cable' = approx. 8.5mm. —Joel A Vanderburg

Provenance

Locality

Measurements

Diameter: 193mm

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