Igbo Coiled Manilla Currency, Based
Product ID: A1200-477
$1,695.00
About this piece
A tight spring of copper, greened with age, ending in two flared knobs.
Igbo communities of central Nigeria, West Africa, used coiled manillas like this one as currency in the 20th century. Manillas were widely traded across West Africa and are also associated with bride-wealth and display. This copper example is wound in about a dozen flat bands, each end flaring into a rounded foot. Pale green verdigris settles in the grooves over a warm brown base. It stands on a thin metal rod and square black plate.
About 7 inches tall. Money you can read like a spiral staircase.
