Vintage African Tagua Nut and Heishe Bead Statement Bracelet

This is a wide, multi-strand statement bracelet featuring biological materials. The primary components are large, curved segments of vegetable ivory, likely harvested from the Tagua nut (Phytelephas macrocarpa) or similar tropical palm seeds. These segments are dyed a vibrant ochre-yellow or mustard hue, revealing a natural, fine-grained texture similar to animal ivory. There are approximately nine of these large yellow stations, each composed of three parallel curved bars. These stations are interconnected by two parallel cord lines strung with small black heishe or coconut shell spacers and round wooden or seed beads. The construction utilizes a ladder-style architecture, giving it a flat, cuff-like appearance. At one terminal end, there is a simple metal ring clasp, while the opposite end features a toggle-style bar for closure. The item is likely of late 20th-century origin, potentially 1970s-1990s, and is representative of artisanal or ethno-centric jewelry popular during the folk-revival movements. Condition-wise, the piece appears well-preserved with no visible chips to the organic segments, though there is minor surface wear consistent with age and light use. The dye appears consistent across all segments, and the structural integrity of the cordage seems intact.