1950s/1960s extra wide copper cuff with black-enameled, Zulu hunters in boat flanked by deer
Mid century, very wide cuff bangle depicting two Zulu warriors in ibheshu and slene, traditional garb for the lower torso. Perched in a slender boat, they hold spears, and pass gazelle in the brush.
Very much an example of Western Mid Century modernism’s fascination with petroglyphs and with African art forms; this cuff may have been made in Europe as a tribute to African culture.
The bracelet is made of copper and has been coated in a clear lacquer to prevent tarnishing (and probably to prevent the skin from turning green when worn), but some of this lacquer has been scratched in the course of use, allowing a bit of tarnish to creep onto the surface of the cuff; the whole cuff could be polished and re-laquered by buyer if desired, but I personally don’t mind the patina. Aside from the scratches to the lacquer (which look a lot more pronounced int he pictures), the cuff is in good vintage condition. I love the copper lights that bounce off the cuff when struck by the sun!