Items Similar to Pair of Iron Spatulate Currencies, Chamba or Mambila, Cameroon or Nigeria
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 9
Pair of Iron Spatulate Currencies, Chamba or Mambila, Cameroon or Nigeria
$950
£717.69
€823.03
CA$1,325.54
A$1,442.60
CHF 764.72
MX$17,355.57
NOK 9,699.11
SEK 8,874.01
DKK 6,148.69
About the Item
Pair of iron flat spatulate currency pieces, made by the Chamba or Mambila peoples of Cameroon or Nigeria.
Mid 20th century or older.
10 1/2 inches high for larger currency. Pair mounted together on custom base, over all 14 3/4 inches high.
ex- private collection, California.
See similar examples in Bruno Claessen's Duende Catalog "Money, Money, Money", 2025.
- Dimensions:Height: 10.5 in (26.67 cm)Width: 5.75 in (14.61 cm)Depth: 0.25 in (6.35 mm)
- Style:Tribal (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:Iron,Forged
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Early-Mid-20th century
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor structural damages. Minor fading. In appropriate condition for a used tribal object with wear, scratches and chips.
- Seller Location:Point Richmond, CA
- Reference Number:Seller: SM.SC#0271stDibs: LU1778244461222
About the Seller
5.0
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 1999
1stDibs seller since 2015
733 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Orinda, CA
- Return Policy
More From This Seller
View AllPair West African Incised Iron and Copper Axe Form Currency Pieces Custom Mounts
Located in Point Richmond, CA
A pair of West African incised iron and copper wire axe form currency pieces or may have used as dance wands. On custom mounts. In the form of a ritual axe, which in many parts of A...
Category
Mid-20th Century North African Tribal Tribal Art
Materials
Iron
19th Century African Iron Currency Mfunte Mfumte Nigeria Cameroon
Located in Point Richmond, CA
The price is for an individual currency and includes the custom made stand.
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
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
Poto African Iron Sword, Congo Africa on Stand
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Poto African sword, Congo Africa on stand.
A forged iron sword with fine incised design, inlaid brass dots, overlaid brass strips, finely carved wood ha...
Category
Early 20th Century Congolese Tribal Tribal Art
Materials
Wrought Iron
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
Early 20th Century Chiwara Headdress, Bamana
Bambara
People, Mali
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Early 20th century Chiwara Headdress, Bamana (Bambara) People, Mali
Chiwara headcrests represent the antelope spirit who taught the Bamana people ...
Category
Early 20th Century Malian Tribal Mounted Objects
Materials
Wood
You May Also Like
Pair of African Iron Bandaka Hoe Currency, Mounted on Custom Steel Bases
Located in Stamford, CT
2 African iron Bandaka hoe currency, Mabila and Chamba Peoples, Nigeria and Cameroon.
The iron, hammered into the form of a hoe, was used as currency. Mounted they are wonderful pie...
Category
20th Century Nigerian Tribal Mounted Objects
Materials
Iron
Pair of African Spear Currencies on Stands
Located in Atlanta, GA
This is a pair of vintage African spear currencies from the Mbole peoples, Democratic Republic of Congo which are nicely presented upon custom m...
Category
20th Century Congolese Tribal Tribal Art
Materials
Metal
$3,090 / set
Pair of African Iron Sword Currencies on Custom Stands
Located in Atlanta, GA
This is a pair of African iron currency blade or sword currency from the Nkutshu, Topoke & Songo Meno peoples, Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire) which are nicely presented upon custom metal stands. Such blades were used by various tribal groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo as a form of currency. They were used to close a variety of important transactions such as land deals or the proposal of marriage. These African sword...
Category
Antique 19th Century Congolese Mounted Objects
Materials
Metal, Iron
African Spear Currency on Stands
Located in Atlanta, GA
This is a pair of vintage African spear currencies from the Mbole peoples, Democratic Republic of Congo which are nicely presented upon custom m...
Category
20th Century Congolese Tribal Tribal Art
Materials
Metal, Iron
$3,090 / set
Bamileke People, Cameroon, Forged Knife with Carved Wooden Head
Located in Leuven , BE
Solid forged Bamileke short sword with a finely carved face on the top of the handle. Patina of use
Category
20th Century Cameroonian Antiquities
Materials
Metal
Ethnic Design-Bridal Iron Hoe Currency, Afo Peoples Nigeria
Located in Leuven , BE
Used as forms of currency, they could also serve as a musical or ritual object. Displayed on a custom mount.
Category
Antique 19th Century Nigerian Mounted Objects
Materials
Iron













