Southeast Asian. 1-5th Century, Magnificent Bronze Bangle with beautiful patina (343 grams) Lot:  3816

Southeast Asian. 1-5th Century, Magnificent Bronze Bangle with beautiful patina (343 grams)
Lot:  3816
This type of bracelet is associated with the Bronze and Iron Ages in Southeast Asia, specifically the period known as the Dong Son culture. This culture flourished from approximately 1000 BCE to 200 CE in the area that now encompasses northern Vietnam and adjacent parts of Southeast Asia. The culture spread through trade networks and migration, which explains the presence of such objects in Indonesia. The style of this bracelet, with its wide, flattened ends, is typical of this period. Its substantial weight of 343 grams is appropriate for a solid bronze object of that size, supporting its authenticity.

Such bracelets likely had both functional and symbolic meaning. They were used as adornment and were a status symbol, indicating wealth, power, and social standing. They may also have served as a means of exchange in the prehistoric economic system, similar to the function of money. The bracelets were often found in the graves of elite individuals, further underscoring their importance as grave goods and status symbols.

Recent archeology in the North of Bali has discovered trade with India and South East Asia mainland and suggests that possibly bronze casting occurred in Bali in the first century BC.
The bronzes were most probably imported, however soon a bronze casting industry was developed in East Java, This is continuous up until the present and we can see a gradual evolution from the simple designs of the early bronzes through to the quite elaborate Mahapahit bronzes of the 14th century.

Actual dimensions: 84 x 74 x 19 mm and the flat ends 36 mm, weigth: 343 gram.

!! Please note, due to updated import regulations from the United States, we are not able to ship to the US at this moment. !!

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