Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 11

Tribal iron currency sculpture

$2,192.52
£1,637.10
€1,850
CA$3,007.18
A$3,379.87
CHF 1,760.15
MX$41,107.63
NOK 22,523.27
SEK 21,358.69
DKK 14,083.33
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

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 connection of the tribe with land, the soild on which they depend. Because iron was very rare in this region it was used as money. A large piece as this could have been used to give as a dowry for the bride family. Recontextualized it's in it own right a minimalistic sculpture where the fluent lines and beautiful patina make it a intriguing object.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 25.6 in (65 cm)Width: 17.72 in (45 cm)Depth: 5.91 in (15 cm)
  • Style:
    Tribal (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Iron,Forged
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1900
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Vosselaar, BE
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU2023338888602

More From This Seller

View All
Early 20th Century Stone Disc
Located in Vosselaar, BE
A polished hardstone disc. Provenance unknown but probably a early 20th century Hawaiin Ulu Maika stoen. Ulu Maika is a ancient game simular to bowling played by the indigineaous Haw...
Category

Early 20th Century Hawaiian Mounted Objects

Materials

Stone

Stylized Antrophomorfic Sulawezi Toraja Sculpture
Located in Vosselaar, BE
Sulawesi, Toraja, a wooden stylized sculpture of a ox head with original patina, For the Indonesioan Toraja people the ox is a sacred animal. Depictions of th...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Indonesian Mounted Objects

Materials

Wood

bronze age ceremonial cup stone
Located in Vosselaar, BE
This peculiar archeological piece is described as a 'cup stone'. These cup marked stones have been found worldwide and been dated from 300.000 bc up to 1000 bc. The exact purpose of ...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Scandinavian Archaistic Mounted Objects

Materials

Stone

Biconvex Bronze Age Bactrian stone Idol
Located in Vosselaar, BE
A Bactrian biconvex stone idol. Alongside column and figurative idols these intriguing objects belong to the Bactria-Margana culture. An ancient civilization dating between the 3th a...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Afghan Antiquities

Materials

Slate

Chinese Ceramic Headrest
Located in Vosselaar, BE
A Chinese unglazed ceramic headrest with lovely patina and naieve carvings on both sides. ONe geometrical and one of a fantasy beast (griffion?). These headrests are found in difform...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Chinese Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Anatolian Ceramic Idol, Early Bronze Age circa 2700-2400 BCE
Located in Vosselaar, BE
A interesting example of a kusura type bronze age idol. These are usually found in marble but this one is in ceramic. These idols represent a stylized female shape and represent fert...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Turkish Archaistic Antiquities

Materials

Ceramic

You May Also Like

Mounted 19th Century Afo Iron Currency
Located in Chicago, IL
A fantastic 19th century Afo culture wrought iron spade currency piece mounted on custom steel stand. Currency pieces like these were used for large purchases including land or lives...
Category

Antique 19th Century Nigerian Tribal Mounted Objects

Materials

Iron

Early 1800s Wrought Iron Mbili African Currenzy on Metal Stand
Located in New York, NY
Rare Mbili currency used in the Ngbaka, Lobala and Bangala tribes in Congo. Circa Early 1800s, this spear point form is made in iron. It was used as a ma...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Congolese Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Wrought Iron

African Currency of the AFO People from Nigeria on a Metal Stand
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful, museum quality display stand of a late 19th century Hoe or Shovel currency. Four available for individual purchase.
Category

Antique 19th Century African Tribal Art

Materials

Metal

Extra Large Curved Hoe Currency, Angas, Nigeria
Located in Point Richmond, CA
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 pounds / 9.34 kg Combined weight with base: 43.8 pounds / 19.9 kg The large currency forms are comprised of a heavy sheet of iron forged into the shape of a curved hoe. They were customary gifts for a bride’s father as well as having a function during wedding celebrations (Ballarini, The Perfect Form...
Category

Early 20th Century Nigerian Other Tribal Art

Materials

Iron

Large Curved Hoe Currency, Angas, Nigeria
Located in Point Richmond, CA
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 Combined weight with base: 20.6 pounds / 9.3 kg The large currency forms are comprised of a heavy sheet of iron forged into the shape of a curved hoe. They were customary gifts for a bride’s father as well as having a function during wedding celebrations (Ballarini, The Perfect Form...
Category

Early 20th Century Nigerian Other Tribal Art

Materials

Iron

Metal Iron African Antique Currency from Congo
Located in New York, NY
African antique currency from the Congo, most likely Iron. Beatufil decorative piece, includes a stand. This Currency piece was circulated as a mean...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Congolese Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Metal, Iron