Old African Currency – MUMUYE / CHAMBA – Nigeria

Iron. Cm. 35,0 high (13.78 Inches); grams 368,6 (13.0 oz.).

The Mumuye and the Chamba are small ethnic groups on the borders of eastern Nigeria.

This currency is made of an iron staff from which parts a sheaf of single, sinuous snake shaped ramifications, The structure, worked as a heat-soldered whole, represents a tree.

For similar examples and more informations see:
– “The Perfect Form”, by Roberto Ballarini, page 155;
– “African Currency”, by Adolfo Bartolomucci, page 44.

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