Azande Knife Currency, Wall Mounted

Ears like small ridged shells, arms high, and a point at the bottom for good measure.

This knife currency, wall mounted, is Azande, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan or Central African Republic, Central or East Africa, and dates to the 20th century. It is iron. Forged iron objects of this kind generally circulated as stores of wealth and in marriage payments. The surface is smooth and dark, and an incised line traces the outline up the arms to five-fingered hands. Two parallel lines run down from the neck. The waist pinches in, the hips swell, and a teardrop opening leads to a long spike. It is 8.25 inches wide and 22.5 high.

Hands up, though nobody is being robbed.