Tribal Currency

Three Kuso Currency pieces known as Boloko are from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They are made from forged iron and were used as currency in commerce. Today, they are sculp...

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...

Tribal African Currency.

Antique African bronze bracelet currency bangle Tribal art. High quality bronze currency bracelet from west Africa.

This antique tribal currency piece from Papua New Guinea has been carved from a giant clam shell, with pieces of bamboo.

Most forms were developed from traditional metal objects that were already in use such as weapons, tools, bracelets and anklets. While some continued to be functional for work or dec...

Instead, these pieces were typically valued as bridal currency, by various tribal groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo, they would be driven into the ground of the bride-to-be'...

19th or early 20th century copper snake currency sculpture Zaire Africa Ngelima culture, Zaire, hand-forged, copper rod in an anthropomorphic stylized form of a coiled snake. In Afr...

This sculptural African bronze currency piece forms a powerful circular silhouette, crowned by two elongated, crossing points that meet like a ritual gesture. The surface bears a ric...

Shaped from hammered copper, the heavy, spherical ring was also exchanged as currency in rare transactions, such as for access to secret societies, as part of a wedding dowry, or in ...

Instead, these pieces were typically valued as bridal currency, by various tribal groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo, they would be driven into the ground of the bride-to-be'...

The blacksmiths and sculptors of the Mossi People were held in special regard by the tribe's ruling class. Their ability to shape bronze and other precious metals into currency and s...

Chamba, Nigeria, Africa Iron Early 20th century 14.5 x 7 in. / 37 x 18 cm Height on custom display stand: 16.5 in. / 42 cm Various models of these original currency bearers were...

This set of 3 pieces of African currency is very interesting. Looking like some sort of ancient maraca, these 19th century pieces jingle and noise-make with each step. The dimensions...

A collection of Burkina Faso currency from the mid-20th century. This assortment of three vintage African ritual iron snakes effigies originate from the Lobi tribe of Burkina Faso. T...

1940s double gong iron African Currency.

We present you an 19th century antique Nigerian high quality bronze GOLD PLATED bracelet currency traditionally used in monetary functions and exchange in the tribe as well as body o...

This rare 18th-century Ngelima bronze currency manilla is a stunning artifact, weighing an impressive 20 pounds of solid bronze.

This African bronze currency forms an incomplete circle, its open ends leaning toward one another like a conversation paused mid-breath. The surface bears the quiet authority of age:...

Extra Large Curved Hoe Currency Angas, Nigeria Early 20th century Iron 25.25 x 17.5 in. / 64 x 44 cm Height on custom display stand: 29.75 in. / 76 cm Weight: 12.8 pounds / 5.8 kg C...

Pair of iron flat spatulate currency pieces, made by the Chamba or Mambila peoples of Cameroon or Nigeria. Mid 20th century or older. 10 1/2 inches high for larger currency. Pair ...

19th-century bronze currency bracelet / Manilla in horseshoe form with fixed opening. Intricate graphical swirl design and tips are shaped with large flat ends with 5 beads on each s...

19th-century bronze currency bangle / Manilla with a fixed opening. Minimalist, simple design work with engraved geometrical circles and lines. This type of bracelet was used and wor...

Topoke, DR Congo, Africa Iron Early 20th century 36 x 6 in. / 91 x 15 cm. Height on custom display stand: 38.25 in. / 97 cm. These big iron spear points were made by groups livi...

Early to mid-19th-century bronze currency bracelet / Manilla in circle form. Intricate graphical geometrical. This type of bracelet was worn/used by the Zaghawa People also called Bé...

Early to mid-19th-century bronze currency bracelet / Manilla in circle form. Intricate graphical geometrical. This type of bracelet was worn/used by the Zaghawa People also called Bé...

Time honored texture and form define this Senufo sculptural object. The abstract etchings were achieved through a process known as scarification. The artisan meticulously traced and ...

Extra Large Curved Hoe currency Angas, Nigeria Early 20th century Iron Measures: 29.5 x 20.5 in. / 75 x 52 cm Height on custom display stand: 33.25 in. / 84 cm Weight: 20.6 p...

The traditional form of the Senufo currency bracelet is stripped down in this more minimalistic version. Two gracefully upswept bands join to form a sculptural object that plays beau...

19th-century bronze currency bracelet / Manilla in horseshoe form with fixed opening. Intricate graphical swirl design and tips are shaped with large flat ends with cross pattern des...

19th-century bronze currency bracelet / Manilla in horseshoe form with fixed opening. Intricate graphical swirled rope work design and tips are shaped with large flat ends with geome...

19th-century bronze currency bracelet / Manilla in horseshoe form with fixed opening. Intricate graphical design with a lattice pattern. This type of bracelet was worn or used by the...

19th-century bronze currency bracelet / Manilla in horseshoe form with fixed opening. Intricate graphical design with lines and accent points on the top and at both tips. This type o...

Early 20th-century brass currency bracelet / Manilla in horseshoe form with fixed opening. Hand-stamped and shaped graphical motives and the tips are in the shape of scrolls. This ty...

Yua Shell Currency, Bride’s Price Sepik River Region, Papua New Guinea Hand carved from a clam shell Measures: 7 x 7.5 in / 18 x 19 cm Height on custom display stand: 10.5 in. / ...

Yua Shell Currency, Bride’s Price Sepik River Region, Papua New Guinea Hand carved from a clam shell Measures: 7.5 x 8.5 in / 19 x 22 cm Height on custom display stand: 11.5 in. ...

A pair of West African incised iron and copper wire axe form currency pieces or may have used as dance wands. On custom mounts. In the form of a ritual axe, which in many parts of A...

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 scr...

Hoe-Shaped Currency "Mbili Ngbaka," Ngbaka, D.R. Congo 20th century Iron, accumulation 16 x 7 in. / 41 x 18 cm Height on custom display stand: 18.25 in. / 46 cm This interesting typ...

African currency bracelet made of bronze, with a rich patina.

Made in the 20th century, this unique artifact served as tribal ceremonial currency, embodying the spiritual and social significance of traditional exchanges.

In many tropical cultures, tribal communities used them as currency. The Inca would bury shells with the dead as part of funerary rites.

A fine example of a early 20th century iron currency from the Afo tribe in Nigeria. Also called a hoe currency the abstract shape refers to the blade of a hoe as to symbolise the con...

Nigerian currency crafted by the Fulani tribe. Outlawed in the 19th century by Colonel Phelps. The unusual forms and sizes of ethnographic currencies are both fascinating and surpris...

Time-honored texture and form define this Nigerian copper sculptural object. The intricate geometry was achieved through a process known as scarification. The artisan would meticulou...

The Afo Bridal Currency was used in Nigeria until the early 1940s. This is also known as a "Chenkrom." Now mounted on a bronze stand.

Characterized by its open shape capped with geometric ends, this bracelet is but one form of the many types of body adornments favored the Fulani people of West Africa. The thick des...

An African iron currency blade or sword currency from the Nkutshu, Topoke & Songo Meno peoples, Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire) which is nicely presented hanging from a custom m...

An African currency bracelet on a custom black steel mount. Bracelet alone measures 4.5"W x 1.5"D x 4.75"H.  

With its bold, open circular form and richly worn bronze surface, this African currency bracelet embodies a striking balance of simplicity and power. The smooth contours and deep pat...

While shield and spear were central to African combat, this iron example was most likely made to serve as a piece of trade currency. Many pre-colonization African currencies were mod...

While shield and spear were central to African combat, this iron example was most likely made to serve as a piece of trade currency. Many pre-colonization African currencies were mod...

Heavy Copper Ekonda Anklet Currency MONGO Tshuapa District - D.R Congo 4494 gr Beautiful patina. These anklets were worn by women of the Mongo tribe of northwest Congo. They wer...

Such blades were used by various tribal groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo as a form of currency.

Such blades were used by various tribal groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo as a form of currency.

A Pair of Copper Currencies: “Katanga Crosses” Central African Copper Belt (DR Congo, Zambia or Zimbabwe) Cast copper, archaeological patina Size each: 12” high x 5” wide x 1/2” dee...

This elegant African bronze currency cuff is a compelling example of how wealth, status, and artistry were intertwined in traditional African societies. Cast in bronze with a rich, t...

Time honored texture and form define this Nigerian copper sculptural object. The intricate geometry was achieved through a process known as scarification. The artisan would meticulou...

The hoe currency is among the most architecturally compelling of these objects.