Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 9

19th Century Mumuye Iron Currency, Nigeria

$1,302.60
£950
€1,107.96
CA$1,783.70
A$1,983.23
CHF 1,035.53
MX$24,140.75
NOK 13,212.96
SEK 12,379.91
DKK 8,268.95
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

This tall, elegant iron currency, from the Mumuye culture in Nigeria, dates back to the nineteenth-century. The currency displays a long, spoon-shaped form, with attractive spiral features and fine markings on the handle. Ex Private Collection, UK Height Including Custom-Made Base: 62.5cm Height Excluding Custom-Made Base: 61cm Width of Iron Currency: 12cm Width of Custom-Made Base: 9cm
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 24.02 in (61 cm)Width: 4.73 in (12 cm)Depth: 0.6 in (1.5 cm)
  • Style:
    Tribal (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    Late 19th Century
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    London, GB
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU8736236277052

More From This Seller

View All
Fine Bronze Pendant. Gan, Burkina Faso
Located in London, GB
This crescent-shaped bronze pendant, features a central abstract figure. Below the figure, two stylised small birds perch in the middle of the pendant. Throughout, the surface of the...
Category

Early 20th Century Burkinabe Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Bronze

Late 19th Century Mumuye Iron Flat Spiral Currency, Nigeria
Located in London, GB
A fine incised iron flat spiral currency from the Mumuye in Nigeria. A similar example of iron currency can be found in the Ghysels Collection, as published in 'A World of Belts' (20...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Nigerian Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Iron

19th Century Igbo Iron Spiral Currency (Manilla), Nigeria
Located in London, GB
This nineteenth-century spiral currency (Manilla), from the Igbo culture in Nigeria, is impressive in its size and exhibits a wonderfully exaggerated twisted, spiral form. Spiral ir...
Category

Antique 19th Century Nigerian Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Iron

Standing Iron Figure. Bambara, Mali
Located in London, GB
Ex Private Collection, Belgium Estimated Period: First Half of 20th Century Width of Iron Figure at Widest Point: 5.5cm Depth (Incl. Stand): 5.5cm
Category

Early 20th Century Malian Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Iron

Fine 19th Century Bronze Arm Adornment, Cameroon
Located in London, GB
This finely cast bronze late 19th century arm adornment from Cameroon is possibly Kirdi in origin. Displays a beautiful form, the adornment features a prominent central ridge, and ov...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Cameroonian Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Bronze Alloy Mongo/Ekonde Woman's Leg Adornment ('Konga'), DRC
Located in London, GB
Married women of the Mongo and Ekonde cultures in the Democratic Republic of the Congo wore heavy cast bronze leg adornments such as this, known as 'Konga'. This piece was sand cast,...
Category

Antique 19th Century Congolese Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Bronze

You May Also Like

19th Century African Iron Currency Mfunte Mfumte Nigeria Cameroon
Located in Point Richmond, CA
The price is for an individual currency and includes a stand. The custom stands can display the currencies horizontally with the rounded point facing to the left or right or mounted vertically. Please specify your preference. The shape of a Mfunte currency has a seemingly simple yet complex design. The forged iron surface was scratched in an end-to-end direction to create a visually interesting surface, a central raised vein to create two sections, and swelling was incorporated on the front at the straight end. The aging of the iron has further added to the texture and attractiveness of the design. Colonial coinage replaced Africa's traditional iron currencies...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Nigerian Tribal Art

Materials

Iron

Iron Spear Currency, Topoke, DR Congo
Located in Point Richmond, CA
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...
Category

Early 20th Century Congolese Other Tribal Art

Materials

Iron

Late 19th-Early 20th Century Hand-Forged Iron Currency, Southern Chad, Africa
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Late 19th-early 20th century iron currency, kurr, Sara-Madjingaye peoples, Southern Chad. These rare currencies have a wonderfully minimalist anthropomorphic form, but were inspired...
Category

Early 20th Century Chadian Tribal Abstract Sculptures

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

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

Hoe-Shaped Iron Currency "Mbili Ngbaka, " Ngbaka, D.R. Congo
Located in Point Richmond, CA
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 type of iron currency was used for major transactions such as dowry payments. The two wings added to the lower tips of the hoe underline the non-utilitarian character of this type of currency (Ballarini, "The Perfect Form...
Category

20th Century Congolese Other Tribal Art

Materials

Iron