African Iron Spear-Form Currency Mounted On A Custom Steel Base

2 African iron Bandaka hoe currency, Mabila and Chamba Peoples, Nigeria and Cameroon. The iron, hammered into the form of a hoe, was used as currency. Mounted they are wonderful pie...

Whimsical circa 1900 Chinese brass opium pillow in the form of a kneeling boy. The boy shown crouching and smiling with an amusing forelock on his otherwi...

This is a pair of vintage African spear currencies from the Mbole peoples, Democratic Republic of Congo which are nicely presented upon custom m...

While shield and spear were central to African combat, this iron example was most likely made to serve as a piece of trade currency. Many pre-colonization African currencies were modeled after objects of inherent value, resulting in sculptural combinations of function and beauty. This large iron spear dates to the early 20th century and is attributed to the Kuba people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Secured to a narrow iron handle, the flattened blade has an elegant, sloping silhouette, subtly textured with concentric grooves and a rusted, antique patina. Forged as a broadleaf spear, the weapon contrasts a violent potential with images of peaceful branches swaying in the wind. We've set this unusual Kuba spear...