Kenyan Cowrie Shell Brass Cuff and Bypass Ring Set

A two piece brass jewellery set from Kenya: a multi band open cuff and a matching bypass ring, each holding a natural cowrie shell and a cast brass one. What sets it apart is that pairing. On the cuff a real cowrie sits in a twisted rope bezel beside a cowrie cast in solid brass, so the same shell appears twice, once as the sea made it and once in metal. The ring carries the idea on to the hand, the two shells passing each other on an open band. If the rest of your jewellery is plain metal, this is the piece that brings in texture without bringing in colour. Cowrie shells were money across much of Africa for centuries and still stand for wealth and good fortune. The East African coast has its own cowrie, so on a Kenyan piece these are shells from home waters rather than a borrowed symbol. Polished brass with natural cowrie shells, hand worked and hand finished, so the bands carry faint hammer marks and no two sets come out identical. The cuff is about 5 to 6.4cm deep with an inner diameter of about 5.7 to 6.4cm, open at the back so it eases on and adjusts to the wrist. The ring is an open band that adjusts to the finger. Brass darkens as it is worn. A soft cloth and a little brass polish bring the shine back. Keep it away from perfume and water, and store it dry.