Old African Currency / Anklet – KONGA – Ekonda, Mongo, Kutu, Kota – DR Congo

Bronze. The piece is cm. 23,5 high x 13,2 width (9.25″ x 5.20″). Grams 3.942,0 (8.69 lb.)

Heavy leg shield made by Mongo smiths, a vast tribal group of central Congo that used furnaces dug into the earth to heat and melt the metal, and then pured into a horizontal cast moulded in fire clay made with a wooden mould. The still hot ingot was finally bent over a trunck to obtain the cylindrical shape desired. Worn by women, it testified to husband’s wealth.

For a similar example see:

– “The Perfect Form”, by Roberto Ballarini, page 268.

– “African Currency”, by Adolfo Bartolomucci, page 96.

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