ANKLE bracelet with jingle bells, people DAN, Ivory Coast, 19° century.
Called "Gli Djè" meaning girls ring, bronze bracelet with 3 bells decorated with geometrical design.
Worn by young women whose body ornaments could be associated with the decorations of this prestigious objects
Varying from 3 to 14, the number of bells defines the social rank, the ankle with 3 to 5 bells are worn by modest girls, beyond they are reserved to the elite or daughters of chiefs.
Dimensions, length : 139 mm, width : 124 mm, heigth : 49 mm.
References :
André BLANDIN : "Bronzes et autres alliages", Ed. Balder, Gent, 1988.
Hans et Ulrike HIMMELHEBER : "Die Dan, ein Bauervolk im Westafrikanischen Urwald" , Ed. W. Kohlhammer, Stuttgart, 1958.
