Primitive iron currency - Chamba - Nigeria - SOLD
In Africa, the so-called primitive iron currencies appeared relatively late in African art because blacksmiths acquired control of the iron only after exchanges with Westerners. Nevertheless, there is a very wide diversity according to the regions.
One finds on this one a manifest influence of Islam in view of the crescent and the star. It should be noted that a number of originally animist tribes that have undergone a forced influence of Islam or Christianity have nevertheless preserved animist practices to a greater or lesser degree. This type of iron currency, depending on the form, could also be a weapon of throw or pageantry. They were used for barter or dowry for weddings. Beautiful authentic object sold by our art gallery, the reference in Belgium.
Origin : private collection, BelgiumDating : 1950'sSize : 43 x 20 cmMaterial : iron
00263
Data sheet
- Presumed dating
- Mid XXth century
- Size
- Ethnic group
- Country
- Origin
- Tribal art collection Belgium
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In Africa, the so-called primitive iron currencies appeared relatively late in African art because blacksmiths acquired control of the iron only after exchanges with Westerners. Nevertheless, there is a very wide diversity according to the regions.
One finds on this one a manifest influence of Islam in view of the crescent and the star. It should be noted that a number of originally animist tribes that have undergone a forced influence of Islam or Christianity have nevertheless preserved animist practices to a greater or lesser degree. This type of iron currency, depending on the form, could also be a weapon of throw or pageantry. They were used for barter or dowry for weddings. Beautiful authentic object sold by our art gallery, the reference in Belgium.
Origin : private collection, BelgiumDating : 1950'sSize : 43 x 20 cmMaterial : iron