TERA Gallery - African Art and Antiquities

"Altering The Way You View The World Of Art"
Type of Object:     
    Ekonda Currency

    This is a three ribbed bronze ankle cuff currency bracelet.  
    created from solid bronze and loaded with a beautiful patina.

    The technique with which Mongo smiths fashioned these
    heavy women’s leg bands (which, especially among the
    neighboring Kunda, also served as currency), has been
    described as follows: an ingot fusing copper and zinc was
    formed with great heat in a horizontal press molded in the
    earth. Still red hot and malleable, the bronze ingot was then
    wrapped around a log until it cooled off, remaining in the
    shape of a bronze cylinder that would be worn by wealthy
    women. In order to bear the considerable weigh and to
    protected the ankle, the women worn padded rolls of a raffia
    or vegetable fiber. These extraordinarily heavy anklets were
    also used by the Ekonda (Konda) peoples as currency.
    Commonly referred to as a "bronze", actually made from a
    copper/zinc alloy dating back to over 200 years in age.

    This currency was made by the Nkutshu who gave them to
    the Songo-Meno (originally the Mongo) in exchange for
    copper in its raw state. They were the most important
    objects used in payment of the marriage dowry. They had
    considerable conventional value: in 1950 the equivalent of
    about 50 Belgian francs..   


Ethnic Group:       

    Kunda Society
     Mongo Society

Country of Origin:          
    Congo



Material:      
    Copper/zinc alloy,
     
Dimensions:
    3.5" long by 4" deep
     weight  2.4 pounds.


Reference:                  
    Earth and Ore, 2500 Years of African Ar in Terra Cotta and
    Metal by Schaedler

    Roberto Ballarini, Armi Bianche Dell'Africa Nera (Black
    Africa's Traditional Arms), Africa Curio, Milano 1992.Pgs
    128.
    p116