Monumental Rare Central African Currency Blade

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Description

If you are looking for a statement piece that defines a room, this is it. Standing nearly four feet tall … Read more If you are looking for a statement piece that defines a room, this is it. Standing nearly four feet tall and weighing a staggering 38 pounds, this antique iron currency blade is closer to architecture than decor. The surface is incredible—a landscape of rough-hewn texture, forging marks, and a deep, varied oxidation that tells the story of its creation. It commands attention not just through its size, but through the sheer density of the material. Mounted on a custom heavy-duty metal stand, it floats safely and securely, allowing the light to catch the rich, dark patina of the metal.

This is a rare example of "Liganda" or "Doa" currency, traditionally forged by the blacksmiths of the Topoke, Lokele, or Turumbu peoples in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In these societies, iron was sacred and difficult to produce. A piece of this magnitude would have taken a master smith weeks to forge. These were not used for daily market purchases; they were reserved for the most significant life events—transferring land rights, sealing peace treaties between villages, or finalizing a high-status marriage alliance. To possess one was to hold the tangible weight of power and history.

This antique piece is substantial enough to stand directly on the floor, perhaps flanking a fireplace or standing next to a large potted olive tree or place it on a low, sturdy pedestal or a solid wood block in a hallway to create a museum-like focal point. See less