An African Manilla Trade Currency on Custom Iron Stand

This African bronze currency forms an incomplete circle, its open ends leaning toward one another like a conversation paused mid-breath. The su...

Cast in bronze and shaped as an open circular form, this African currency object embodies the union of wealth, artistry, and social identity. Its smooth, monumental silhouette and ri...

A sculptural iron form once used as currency among the Mambila and Chamba peoples of northeastern Nigeria and the Cameroon highlands, this forged hoe-shaped object embodies the inter...

This rare 18th-century Ngelima bronze currency manilla is a stunning artifact, weighing an impressive 20 pounds of solid bronze. Adorned with intricate incised line drawings at its e...

Early 20th Century Copper 'Mbole' Currency Measure : 25x13cm H:45cm Ø 23cm Materials and Techniques: Copper Place of Origin: Congo Period: Early 20th Century A stylistic distillati...

This sculptural African bronze currency piece forms a powerful circular silhouette, crowned by two elongated, crossing points that meet like a ...

Forged iron currency, Chamba people, Northeastern Nigeria A piece of traditional currency used for barter or exchange, it measures 15 inches (38 cm) high by 18 inches (45.7 cm) wide...

Before the widespread adoption of coinage, many African societies developed sophisticated systems of exchange using forged metal objects as currency. These iron forms—used in marriag...

The price is for an individual currency and includes the custom made stand. The shape of a Mfunte currency has a seemingly simple yet complex design. The forged iron surface was scratched in an end-to-end direction to create a visually interesting surface, a central raised vein to create two sections, and swelling was incorporated on the front at the straight end. The aging of the iron has further added to the texture and attractiveness of the design. Colonial coinage replaced Africa's traditional iron currencies...

Used as forms of currency, they could also serve as a musical or ritual object. Displayed on a custom mount.