Pair of Bronze Dong Son Arm Cuffs - Coiled Form

Southeast Asia, Vietnam, Dong Son culture, ca. 500 BCE to 100 CE. A pair of bronze arm cuffs from the Dong Son culture, each cast in a broad, flat band with terminals that overlap to form a spiral-like closure. The surfaces bear a rich green patina from centuries of burial, their smooth planes enlivened by time-worn texture and mineral accretions. One cuff is slightly heavier and more robust in form, while the other is more delicate, yet both exemplify the distinctive aesthetic of Dong Son bronze work. Bronze ornaments such as these were highly valued in Dong Son society, where metallurgy reached a remarkable level of sophistication. These cuffs would have served both decorative and symbolic roles, likely worn as emblems of wealth and prestige. The Dong Son culture, flourishing along the Red River Delta, is best known for its extraordinary bronze drums and ornaments, which reveal the artistry and ritual life of early Southeast Asian societies. Size of larger: 2.2" W x 3.7" Diameter (5.6 cm x 9.4 cm) The strength and simplicity of these arm cuffs speak to their dual purpose as adornments and as markers of identity, embodying both personal beauty and communal meaning. Item # 176784

Estimate:£112.12

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