TERA Gallery - African Art and Antiquities

"Altering The Way You View The World Of Art"
Type of Object:     
    King Manila

    These  very stylized and decorated "bracelet" forms were
    recognized and used as currency through Nigera and the
    neighboring countries from the 15thC to the mid-20th C. They
    were widely used from the 16th centruy, when the Portuguese cast
    huge quantities and used them  to trade in West Africa.

Ethnic Group:       

Country of Origin:       
    West Africa   
Material:          
    Copper Alloy


Dimensions:


Reference:                  
     
    African Forms by Marc Ginzberg
             Earth and Ore , 2500 Years of Afrcian Art...by Schaedler
              The Artistry of African Currency Exhibit, p90,plate1

    Roberto Ballarini, Ferrie Monete dell' Africa Equatoriale,
    Galleria    Africa Curio-Milano 1998. 37 Pages. p5

    Opitz, Charles J.  ODD AND CURIOUS MONEY:
    DESCRIPTIONS AND VALUES. Second Edition. Ocala, FL: First
    Impressions Printing, 1991. p69

    Roberto Ballarini, Armi Bianche Dell'Africa Nera (Black Africa's
    Traditional Arms), Africa Curio, Milano 1992. 128 Pages.
    pp114#72a?,72b?
 
    Eyo, Ekpo.  NIGERIA AND THE EVOLUTION OF MONEY.  
    Lagos: Central Bank of Nigeria, 1979. p?

    German Museum Collection - p2?