"Ankle Brace, Dan People"
Bellows ankle, DAN people, Ivory Coast, XIXth century.Called "Gli Djè" meaning girl's ring, bracelet with 3 bronze bells decorated with geometric patterns.
Worn by young women whose body ornaments could be associated with decorations of these prestigious objects.
Varying from 3 to 14, the number of bells defines the social rank, the ankles of 3 to 5 bells are worn by modest young girls, beyond they are reserved for the elite and girls of chiefs.
Dimensions, length: 139 mm, width: 124 mm, height: 49 mm
References: André BLANDIN: "Bronzes and other alloys", Ed. Balder, Gent, 1988.
Hans and Ulrike HIMMELHEBER: "Die Dan, ein Bauervolk im Westafrikanischen Urwald ", Ed. W. Kohlhammer, Stuttgart, 1958.
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