One of the finest quality of miniature works is made through the casting of metal, a tradition linked to the gold trade which developed in West Africa, and more particularly in the vast gold-bearing region going from Southeastern Burkina Faso to Ghana via the Ivory Coast. A lot of objects made of precious metal or copper alloys - often mistakenly referred to as "bronzes" - have been created in this area: weights for weighing gold figurative pendants, anthropomorphicorzoomorphicamulets,ornaments, etc. Although the shapes may vary, the common denominator of these pieces is their very small size, as well as the care for detail showing the great technical mastery of the area's founders. The origins of this tradition are still unclear, as is the history of the peoples living there. However, the oral tradition, as well as some formal analogies with related works, indicate that the practice would come from the interior delta of the Niger River, starting several centuries ago. Montagut Collection