Antique Marble Bracelet – Hombori – West Africa

19th century or early 20th century. Marble. Diameter: 10.8 cm (4.13 in); inner diameter: 6.5 cm (2.56 in). Weight: 239.4 g (8.22 oz).

Hombori refers to both a mountain range and the surrounding cultural region in present-day Mali, a well‑known crossroads of peoples and trade routes in West Africa. Bracelets of this type—often referred to as Hombori bracelets—were traditionally worn by several ethnic groups of the region, including the Dogon, Songhai, Fulani, Mossi, Frafra, and others.

These bracelets were typically carved from locally available stone, marble and marble-like materials, reflecting the geological richness of the Hombori massif. Beyond their decorative function, such stone bracelets often held symbolic and social significance, serving as markers of identity, status, or protection, and were sometimes associated with rites of passage or personal prestige.

The sobriety of form, substantial weight, and skilled execution are characteristic of West African stone ornaments, which were valued both for their durability and for the spiritual and protective qualities traditionally attributed to stone.

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