A fine Benin ivory bracelet, Nigeria

of cylindrical form, delicately carved in relief with figures of Portuguese men and leopards holding a human arm in their pranks; exceptionally fine golden brown patina.

Adolph Schwartz, Amsterdam
Sotheby's, London, June 16, 1980, lot 21
Acquired at the above auction

The Arts Council of Great Britain, Cambridge, West Africa Court and Tribal Art, April – May 13, 1967; other venues: Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Kendal, May 20 – June 11, 1967; Cliffe Castle Museum, Keighley, June – July 8, 1967

The Arts Council of Great Britain (ed.), West Africa Court and Tribal Art, Cambridge, 1967, cat. 22

Very good condition overall. Fragile due to the organic nature of the ivory and the fine thinness of the carving style.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

For a closely related bracelet from the same workshop formerly in the collection of Morris Pinto see Sotheby's, London, May 9, 1977, lot 87; for a second see Sotheby's, London, June 23, 1981, lot 132.