African Slave Trade Bracelet 1700-1750

[Breezie]

Scroll down to Page 12 to see the Slave Bracelet in the Western & Eastern Treasures magazine, April 2012 issue. My SAMBO Cap Gun also made the same article. Here is the original post on SAMBO:
Rare Sambo Cap Gun-1897-Before & After Pics
'Ole' Sambo didn't make the banner so I was really happy to see it in W&E magazine.

Hey Gang, Two weeks ago I dug what I thought was an old bracelet. At first glance, I thought it was one of those copper arthritis bracelets, so I threw it in my pouch without much of a to-do. After getting home and examining it, I realized it was not 'grannies copper arthritis bracelet.' I posted it on the What Is It forum and got an array of ideas from hog, bull nose rings to key chains. Although several people thought it was a trade bracelet. The link to the original post is listed below.

With so many different opinions, I shelled out a few bucks and had it professionally appraised. The bottom line: It's an African Slave Trade Bracelet circa 1700-1750!!!

Here is the appraisal:

I have closely examined the information you have submitted. Thank you for the images and descriptive information. My findings are based on this information.
Your item is a brass slave bracelet from Africa; the bracelet has the "horns" at the end indicative of African slave bracelets. I would date the bracelet C. 1700-1750.
You stated it was found in an area where the Saponi Indians once lived. The Saponi were originally from Virginia and North Carolina, many later relocated to Ontario, Canada, Georgia, Tennessee and Ohio and disappeared from the historical record as a tribe by the end of the 18th century (1700-1750). The interesting facts about the Saponi are that they were at one time classified by some anthropologists as being known as tri-racial isolates. Records have shown that the Saponi had European, African and Native American ancestry in varying degrees, the above mentioned tri-racial groups did settle and create communities in frontier and border areas of the southern states.
The first slaves were brought from Africa to SOUTH Carolina in 1670 and North Carolina did not play a large part in the early slave trade, but North Carolina did rely on slaves for carpentry, masonry, and construction as well as agriculture.
The bracelet is very similar to 18th century African slave bracelets. North Carolina jewelry made by Native American tribes in the 18th century were made out of bone, shells, polished stones, beads, copper, and from brass obtained from white traders. The Saponi would not have had access to metals unless it was a trade to them by the European settlers (not made by the Saponi, but worn by a tribe member).
The value would be between $95.00 and $125.00 in today's retail market. The market comparison approach to value was used which estimates value by comparison with properties sold in the relevant market, with adjustments made for all differences that affect value, such as differences in characteristics of value, in market layer, and in time. The values listed below may vary depending on how and where it is marketed.

Kindest regards,
Joan Whatton
American Society of Appraisers
Jondre` Appraisal Services, LLC


Here's a link to the original post:
http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.p...342#msg2993342

[stevesno]

Wow...Never even heard of one of these found before....BANNER!...Steve

[Breezie]

Wow...Never even heard of one of these found before....BANNER!...Steve

Thanks Steve, I've been MD about 34 years, and (as we say down South,) NEVAH found anything like this. I did however find a 17th Century Spectacle buckle and thought 'how did you get here?' Just think, people have been walking over this bracelet for 300 years! Amazing.

[Getty]

Truly remarkable find Breezie! Great recovery of an awesome piece of history!!

[ziphius]

That is a great piece of history you dug up! Thank you for sharing the story.

[Michaelangelo]

Now that is COOL Breezie!! I'll have to vote banner on that one. Nice find and congrats.

[jgas]

Hey Breezie, that is some cool stuff right there. Great research on finding out what it is. I have to also vote BANNER on this one due to the age and cool factor, not withstanding the value alone its a great find and rare. jgas

[poppy in pa.]

WTG Breezie. What a fantastic find. I also vote BANNER!!

[general]

Great find and very interesting appraisal. Retail value may be low, but historical value priceless. Thanks for sharing.

[Palmetto]

Fantastic find and banner!
What is great is that it is so unique and different from the buttons and coins we typically see on the banner.
Congratulations.

[TommNJ]

Yes, definitely a remarkable find, Congrats! Unique Banner find, !

TommNJ

[prolab69]

Wow, slave trade, awesome research on that one. great find.
pro-

[Chocadog]

Wonderful find, congratulations

[Breezie]

Thanks everyone for the kudos and banner votes. As all of you know, it's really a heart-thumber to dig something cool, but even more cool when you can share it with those who care! TNet-ers are the BEST! Breezie

[diggummup]

Great historical find Breezie. Congratulations.

Pm sent.

Oh yeah- my vote is in for banner too.

[Lady Pirate]

That's exciting Breezie! What a story to be told! Congratulation's on your find

[rtde3]

WOW! Amazing find!
Never even heard of one of those before!
Big Congrats!

[oldgold]

Great Find !
Banner

[Deepdiger60]

That is a great part of history and a first for me nice find !! I vote Banner also

[ModernMiner]

Breezie,
Awesome find, and fantastic news!!! You got my banner vote young lady.
Great find for the home team.
Congrats,
Doug