An iron pole with a bunch of thin blades sticking out of it, giving the currency a tree like shape. The curved extensions with stylized snake heads gives a wonderful aesthetic shape. These Snake currency are forged of an iron spike splitting into 'branches', without any points of welding. Each of which resembles a snake. Used by the Gourmangé speaking peoples (Mumuye, Lobi, etc.) in North Eastern Nigeria, Origin from an ex-Vienna private collection.
Tikar Brass Currency Armlet Torque with Spikes Cameroon07.03.387
West and Central Africa | CAMEROON | Tikar
Brass / bronze
High aesthetic value
Museum quality (worthy to be added to a museum’s permanent collection)
Excellent overall condition
Height: 420 mm
Width: 320 mm
Weight:
2.9 kg
580.00
CHF
This large and exuberant brass armlet or torque with its complex patterns and finely molded motifs in relief reflects a sculptural tradition long established in Cameroon. No bibliographical references could be found for this item.
Mabila / Mfute or Chamba hoe currency07.03.384
West and Central Africa | CAMEROON, NIGERIA
Iron
High aesthetic value
Collectible (fine or rare example of an object)
Excellent overall condition
Height: 400 mm (without stsnd)
Width: 100 mm
Weight:
800 gr (incl. stand)
220.00
CHF
incl. stand
Exceptional well conserved piece, with beautiful patina. While the hoe as agricultural tool adapt its form to the type of soil, the sex and age of the worker, etc. the hoe as exchange money may adapt more fee form. The present piece may have been used as matrimonial compensation among the Mabila.
Mambila / Chamba hoe currency07.03.382
West and Central Africa | CAMEROON, NIGERIA | Mambila, Chamba
Iron
Museum quality (worthy to be added to a museum’s permanent collection)
High aesthetic value
Height: 440 mm
Width: 320 mm
Weight:
1.1 kg (without stand)
365.00
CHF
without stand
Forged out of iron by local blacksmiths theses currency took the form of a hoe, with the bottom part ending in a triangle. Some models could have actually been used as hoes.These hoe type currencies were manufactured by various groups in North Western Nigeria and Northern Cameroon.
Pelt form currency Mfunte / Mambila 07.03.381
West and Central Africa | CAMEROON, NIGERIA | Mfute, Kwanja, Basongo, Toma
Iron
High aesthetic value
Collectible (fine or rare example of an object)
Height: 700 mm
Width: 270 mm
Weight:
2.3 kg (without stand)
740.00
CHF
Exceptional forged iron currency, with brush made lines on its surface and a beautiful patina. Its surface is divided into two mismatched levels. These carefully forged pieces were mostly used as bride price. They circulated widely in West Cameroon and North-Eastern Nigeria. This simple yet striking design expresses perfectly the "perfect form" that is African tribal currency
West and Central Africa | NIGERIA, CAMEROON | Chamba, Mambila
Iron
Museum quality (worthy to be added to a museum’s permanent collection)
High aesthetic value
Hight: 210 mm
Width:160 mm
Weight:
500 gr
sold
Iron currency in the form of a ceremonial hoe. A typical example of a non functional object used as currency. Some attribute these items to the Gayun a tribe living next to the Chamba. In 1967 at the time S. Johansson conducted a research in the area it was worth 1 shilling.
Mabila / Chamba "Bandaka" hoe currency07.03.379
West and Central Africa | CAMEROON, NIGERIA | Chamba, Mambila
Hight: 680 mm (without stand)
Width: 28o mm
Weight:
1,7 kg (incl. stand)
430.00
CHF
incl. stand
A semi circular blade of forged iron, divided into 2 zones and set on mismatched levels.Some actors see it as a stylized profile of a person.
Iron Scepter Currency Ga'Anda / Kirdi07.03.088
West and Central Africa | NIGERIA, CAMEROON | Kirdi
An interesting forged iron scepter with 13 projectiles from the Ga-anda people of North Cameroon and Nigeria. Such scepters were probably used by farmers as well as by priests and diners as their insignia of rank and as power objects as they are said to be invested with supernatural forces.
The whimsical "rooster crest" shape, called also Baton Wanshipta, has a beautiful aesthetic shape for display.
Spear shaped Chamba iron currency07.03.096
West and Central Africa | NIGERIA | Chamba
Iron
Height: 690 mm incl. stand
Weight:
450 gr
185.00
CHF
incl. stand
Mumuye forged iron spiral currency07.03.101
West and Central Africa | NIGERIA | Haussa, Fulbe
Iron
Collectible (fine or rare example of an object)
Hight: 159 mm (without stand)
Max. width: 75 mm
sold
This currency consists of a bundle of 4 spiral shaped ended elements.
Iron gongs are used by many different groups in Africa to set the rhythm for music, establishes the cadence for rituals, religious ceremonies or simply to beat time for dancing and entertainment. This one was probably also used as currency among the Bamileke