Antique Fulani Manilla Currency/Slave Bracelet, West Africa (3150VKE) $185

$185.00

H: 2.75”  W: 2.875”  Thick: 0.5” Circum: 8.75” | FREE SHIPPING

Each African region fabricated its own variety of manillas that were typically horseshoe or C-shaped some like this with plain open ends. This 18-19th century thick solid Fulani metal bracelet has a smooth rounded outer surface enhanced with deeply etched long triangles, parallel horizontal bands, stamped circles, facets and groves to enhance its unique appearance with flat ends. The aged patina with minor oxidation cracks, bruising, and discolorations are all consistent with its age and extensive use. It is a beautiful bracelet in excellent condition and comes with a wood and metal stand.

 

Description

The Fulani are the most numerous nomadic people on earth and one of the largest ethnic groups in West-Africa. They are mostly Muslim who are primarily nomads and sedentary farmers. For centuries the Fulani, like most peoples from Africa created metalwork African-jewelry arm and ankle bracelets that were symbols of wealth and status, fashion adornments, used ceremonially for births, coming of age, marriages, and burials, to trade for animals and domestic and agricultural goods and as a medium of exchange where there were no banks or conventional currency exchange systems. Since they are so numerous, their bracelets are found throughout West Africa. During Africa’s colonization in the 1500s, the British, French and Dutch manufactured bracelets in Europe calling them manillas which became the currency of the slave trade to the Americas and were known as slave bracelets, slave trade money and bracelet money.  They were prohibited for use by foreign traders in the Manilla Currency Ordinance of 1919, and in the 1940s and 50s were confiscated and meltdown. Still worn by Caribbean slave descendants as family treasure pass to future generations. This one is in excellent condition, has a fine patina with minor pitting and scrapes consistent with age and use. This is part of the VA Tribal Art and African-Art collections.

Click here for Blog Manillas: Former African Trade Currency.

Additional information

Place of Origin

Africa

Period

Antique (1200-1920)

Date

18-19th Century

Materials and Technique

Bronze/brass/copper alloy

Dimensions (inches)

H: 2.75" W: 2.87" Thick: .44" Circum: 8.75"

Dimensions (metric)

H: 6 cm W: 7.28 cm Thick: 1.1 cm Circum: 22.2 cm

Weight

11oz

Condition

Excellent, fine patina demonstrating age and use

Reference Number

3150VKE