19th Century Mounted African Currency Pieces

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A group of iron currency forms used among the Kissi people from West Africa.
In the 12th century, iron was … Read more A group of iron currency forms used among the Kissi people from West Africa.
In the 12th century, iron was used in sub-Saharan Africa for the manufacture of practical implements and tribal blacksmiths also created a number of creative deviations from these utilitarian objects.
Serving both as currency and as symbols of social position and wealth, during the colonial period in Africa, these metal objects gradually disappeared from use, replaced by paper currencies.
With a Giacometti aesthetic, these forms could be easily mistaken for modern sculptures.
Displayed on a custom stand See less