Hausa Iron Currency, Nigeria, Based

Nearly five feet of iron, and nobody is quite sure which end is up.

Hausa smiths of Nigeria, West Africa, forged this iron piece in the 20th century. Elongated iron forms such as this are often described as currency or as bridewealth in West African trade traditions. A flat, paddle-shaped head is joined to a long, thin stem by a loop, giving it a tall, fork-like profile. The iron is weathered to a pitted orange rust. It is displayed on a thin metal stand.

About 53 inches tall. A line drawn in the air that happens to be heavy.