African Currency – MBOLE, MONGO, JONGA, NKUTSHU – DR Congo

The piece is cm. 16,5 width x cm. 16,0 high (6.49″ x 6.29″). Gr. 1.268,0 (44.72 oz.).

Ornamental currency-anklet used by both the Mbole men and women. This copper ring, spherical and lightly flattened, had a notable circulationamong the ethnic groups of central Congo. The Jonga groups used it for matrimonial transactions.

For similar examples and more informations see:

• “The Perfect Form”, by Roberto Ballarini, pages 288-289;
• “African Currency”, by Adolfo Bartolomucci, pages 104-105.