Breezie
Gold Member
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2009
- Messages
- 6,269
- Reaction score
- 2,119
- Golden Thread
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- Location
- North Carolina
- 🥇 Banner finds
- 1
- Detector(s) used
- White's DFX & Spectrum~Garrett's Pro-Pointer~VibraProbe
- Primary Interest:
- Metal Detecting
Appraisal from
Joan Whatton
American Society of Appraisers
Jondre` Appraisal Services, LLC
August 25, 2011
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
Thanks again to all who were involved in helping ID this bracelet. I've posted it under TODAY'S FINDS, and here is the link:
http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,419944.0.html
BreezieHey folks, We had a break in our hot/humid weather, so I was able to MD this afternoon. I found this unusual bracelet in an old pit area where the dirt had been dug out and banked-up about 15+ feet. I think it is copper or bronze, but am not sure. It is heavy for its size and weights 16.2 grams. It doesn't open/move easily; I can move the 2 open ends, but only less than 1/4 inch or so. Of course, I could pull it apart using main strength, but in other words, it's strong to be slightly over 1/8" wide. I don't think it is an arthritis bracelet because it is too narrow to have very much medicinal value. It's too strong and primitive to be a bangle from the 70's. I've dealt with right much Victorian jewelry, but this one has been stumped. Thanks in advance for any help.
Breezie
(Info Update)
Kudos to Savant365, Ivan Salis, Relic Dude, and Mike 
