Ethnic Design Collection Reto Zehnder

Sword of uncertain origin. The wooden handle is missing, it is in its original state, quite rusty ,but once cleaned it becomes a nice design element.

The Ngala have developed a special excution knife whose design was likely taken over from the Banza throwing knife (Fischer p. 109). the multi-bladed Banza knife was believed to have great magical powers.

These spherical copper rings, open on one side, were worn around the ankle as a display of status by both women and men of the Mbole tribe. Formed from copper, they were exchanged during marriage ceremonies. Copper was worked in Africa five-hundred years before the use of iron. This ancient material is associated with water and fertility. 

This small cooper cross is the smallest value of the much larger Katanga Cross. In perfect condition with a nice greenish patina.

Spear head. money maybe from the Lomani region in Congo. Iron spear heads vary in size and shape from various ethnic groups, and even within one ethnic group. It is not always possible to distinguish the once produces as weapon and the one s made for trade.

This heavy brass torque has a nice patina. The origine could not be clearly defined, it was collected in the 1970ties in French Wst Africa.

These heavy brass  torques were used to pay the dowry. They were worn by Men and Women .  There are finely chiseled geometrical decoration on both side s of the torque.

The Ngala have developed a special excution knife whose design was likely taken over from the Banza throwing knife (Fischer p. 109). the multi-bladed Banza knife was believed to have great magical powers.

Sickle of the Ngombé, Doko, and Poto tribes they have long been considered the most formidable blacksmiths in the area. Their influence in  metalwork and innovative designs spread to many of their neighborsl such as Mbudja, the Ngbaka, the Mongo, the Bangala, the Yakoma, and the Ngbandi.
 

Highly decorative form of an anchor shaped currency, with two wings terminated at their end with a piece perpendicular to the currency's plan. The piece was stamped out of an iron sheet. The were introduced as money by the N'Goko Sangha Company early 20th Century to buy rubber and ivory.

Copper zoomorphic spiral (snake) made with a hexagonal section rod. The section in the upper part is larger than in the lower. They were very important objects for the Lyembe who used them for paying the wedding dowry.

These spherical copper rings, open on one side, often referred to as 'the perfect form,' was worn around the ankle as a display of status by both women and men of the Mbole tribe. Formed from copper, mboles were exchanged during marriage ceremonies. Copper was worked in Africa five-hundred years before the use of iron. This ancient material is associated with water and fertility. The anklet has some paintings (reference number) on one side.

A U shaped copper rod , hand manufactured of of approx. 14 mm diameter with disk-like extremities.  These enigmatic pieces of copper currency were made by Nkutshu blacksmiths for their monetary system. They were first forged round and then refolded with forged disc at the end. the basongo meno considered them as important objects used both in dowry payment and purchase of slaves and big animals.

Can also be sold per piece (contact us).

A solid cuved egg-shaped section copper bar with blunt ended extremities.

Copper bars in different forms and shapes have been commonly used in central Congo.

Highly decorative form of an anchor shaped currency, with two wings terminated at their end with a piece perpendicular to the currency's plan. The piece was stamped out of an iron sheet. The were introduced as money by the N'Goko Sangha Company early 20th Century to buy rubber and ivory. On of the ears has the end broken.

A cross madee out of solid copper, it has still its original reddish patina. The cross is in perfect condition. The Katanga cross has been used as currency for centuries in ex Belgian Congo. They were already used as currency in the 14th century.

Due to large availability of copper (Tshiombo) in the Katanga region the local tribes used this metal to trade with surrounding populations.