Antique Iron Currency Bundle, Kirdi Cameroon/Nigeria, Early Estate Collection

Description

Wonderful, older iron currency bundle, made by Kirdi blacksmiths from northern Cameroon or southern Nigeria. Piece came from an estate of a man who recenly died at age 90 so it could date from the 1800’s to the early 1900’s if the previous owner was collecting in the 1950’s-1970’s era.
Nice spiral technique seen with the Kirdi iron work, in a hourglass design, showing the blacksmith artistry and skill. Currency  before  colonialization in Africa was a symbol of weath and power, and was used to negotiate major life transactions, such a wedding dowries, or buying cattle.
9” H; Nice reddish brown patina on the  iron, showing age.
_gsrx_vers_851 (GS 7.0.17b2 (851))