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$295.00
The Fulani people favored many kinds of body ornaments, among the most traditional being bracelets and anklets in a horseshoe shape with flared decorative ends. Bracelets and anklets were ideal currency that was wearable, easily portable and readily available for purchases, especially for nomadic people. This finely-crafted, heavy and massive antique U-shaped example was created using the lost wax method and elaborately designed with intertwined twisted strands and 11 faceted ends incised with circle and diamond designs. It is in excellent condition, has a fine patina and minor pitting, scrapes and fading consistent with its age and use and comes with a wood and metal stand.
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$165.00
Each African region fabricated its own variety of manillas that were typically horseshoe or C-shaped with a ball or flare at the ends with added pieces of metal to the body or plain open ends Ranging from thin delicate shapes to heavy massive pieces, they were embellished with designs of deeply carved lines forming parallel ridges, stamped or incised geometric forms, and other motifs. This delicate antique Fulani C-shape solid metal bracelet was made with deeply cut parallel ridges over most of its surface which elicits the effects of twisted metal pieces. The top is centered with an extended flat topped boss/knob centered at the top and unlike many manillas has flat ends. With a fine patina it is a beautiful piece in excellent condition with wear scratches and discolorations consistent with its age and use. It comes with a wood and metal stand.
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$185.00
Each African region fabricated its own variety of manilla that were typically horseshoe or C-shaped with a ball or flare at the ends with added pieces of metal to the body or at plain open ends Ranging from thin delicate shapes to heavy massive pieces, they were embellished with designs of deeply carved lines forming parallel ridges, stamped or incised geometric forms, and other motifs. 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.
Click here for Blog Manillas: Former African Trade Currency.
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$165.00
Each African region fabricated its own variety of manillas that were typically horseshoe or round shaped. Ranging from thin delicate shapes to heavy massive pieces, they were embellished with designs of deeply carved lines forming parallel ridges, stamped or incised geometric forms, and other motifs. The antique rounded wide Fulani manilla from Nigeria has a smooth central surface with complicated etched decorative and geometric designs at the ends. Design motifs include multi-lined horizontals, rows of stippled verticals, small etched circles with tiny recessed circles inside, alternating side by side triangles with the downward pointing ones recessed and large upward pointing double-lined triangles with three stacked double circles at its apex. It is in very good condition with minor pits, scratches, cracks and bruising on the inside consistent with its extensive age and use. It comes with a wood and metal stand.
Click here for Blog Manillas: Former African Trade Currency.
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$185.00
African metal bracelets, which became known as manillas, traditionally were locally made and used as a form of currency by West African peoples as a medium of exchange to trade or barter, pay for significant life events and to display status or social position.This fine and intricate hand-forged Senufo brass/copper alloy antique bracelet is elegantly decorated with deeply incised parallel ridges that cover the surface in three separate sections. Each section has a double set of raised bosses and there are flattened discs at the end. Thick and heavy manillas traditionally were not worn; rather they were used to store wealth, make everyday purchases, buy or trade for livestock and goods, as bridal dowries and for ceremonial purposes such as weddings and burials. It is in excellent shape with a fine patina and usual signs of age and use and comes with a wood and metal stand.
Click here for Blog Manillas: Former African Trade Currency.
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$295.00
This very elaborate and exquisite Senufo heavy brass alloy with a high copper content manilla is ornately embellished and divided into three sections, each decorated with deeply carved geometric panels within horizontal bars across its surface. In a traditional manner, a pair of raised ball-like pieces of metal frame each section, and the openings of the C-shaped bracelet end in flat round discs. This remarkable and elegant manilla is in excellent condition and has a good patina that shows its age, long use, and wear. It comes with a wood and metal stand.
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$325.00
This 19th century Tuareg king manilla bracelet/anklet was fashioned using a sand mold in a distinctive horseshoe shape. King manillas are large curved bars made from brass, copper, and iron in the shape of semi-circles and are typically less curved than the smaller manillas that resemble an open bracelet. It is composed of massive flat finials with 10 facets containing raised diamond shapes with fine detailed hand etched and hammered cross-hatched designs and triangles with raised circles. This manilla is in excellent condition with appropriate signs of age and use and comes with a wood and metal stand.
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$195.00
This finely fashioned antique Tuareg manilla bracelet/anklet from Mali or Niger was fashioned using a sand mold to create a slim circular-shaped bracelet with hoof-shaped terminals, hand incised line decorations, and applied faceted rounded beads at the open ends. It is decorated with v-shaped incised striations that continue through the ends with 13 facet ends. Manillas were important currency for nomadic populations since they were easily portable. It is in excellent condition with a fine patina, some signs of age, and wear and comes with a wood and metal stand.
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$295.00
This elegantly shaped horseshoe-shaped manilla from the Mali and Niger region is decorated with hammered and incised embellishments, designs, and decorative motifs unique to individual Tuareg tribes that have been passed on for generations. It is divided into distinct sections, each with detailed traditional etched linear designs, circular cutouts, diamonds, grooves and terminating in large rounded knot finials incised with layered triangles designs. The patina shows its age, long use, and wear. It is in excellent condition despite the expected minor discoloration, a crack, and some oxidation consistent with age. It comes with a wood and metal stand.
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Sources
Helen E. Hagan and Lucile Meyers, Tuareg Jewelry: Traditional Patterns and Symbols, Xlibrus Corporation, 2006.
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$275.00
Tuareg hand and ankle manillas were made from sand molds in large c-shape sand are recognized for their hand-hammered and unique etched designs, symbols and motifs and the surface and faceted knob ends of their individualized creations. This antique bracelet It is composed of massive flat finials with 12 facets containing raised shapes with detailed hand etched and hammered designs with raised circles. Bracelets were an important form of currency for nomadic populations since they were easily portable although large ones likely served to store value rather than a regular medium of exchange. The manilla is in excellent condition with appropriate signs of age and use and comes with a wood and metal stand.
Click here for the Blog Manillas: Former African Trade Currency.
Sources
Helen E. Hagan and Lucile Meyers, Tuareg Jewelry: Traditional Patterns and Symbols, Xlibrus Corporation, 2006.
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$245.00
This 18-19th century manilla from the Tuareg people in Mali and Niger was fashioned using a sand mold in a distinctive horseshoe shape with bulbous rounded faceted ends. The ends are finely decorated with hand hammered raised diamond shapes enclosing finely incised checkerboard cross-hatching which have faded from age and wear. Individual Tuareg tribes each use unique symbolism and decorative motifs passed down for generations. This bracelet is in excellent condition with a fine patina indicating much wear and some pitting, scrapes and discolorations consistent with its age. It comes with a wood and metal stand.
Click here for the Blog Manillas: Former African Trade Currency.
Sources
Helen E. Hagan and Lucile Meyers, Tuareg Jewelry: Traditional Patterns and Symbols, Xlibrus Corporation, 2006.
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