Chemical Compositions of African Trade Bracelets (Manillas) via Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence

Sixteen small, west African trade bracelets called manillas, and one large, African trade bracelet referred to as a king manilla based on its size, were analyzed via energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence spectrometry and compared for the following elements: copper, zinc, tin, lead, antimony, and arsenic. The composition of the bracelets varied widely in the amount of lead present, especially when compared to the official amounts of lead allowed by the various manufacturing concerns. The king manilla showed a markedly different chemistry than the sixteen smaller manillas, consistent with the belief such large manillas were not manufactured in the same location as the small.