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

Description

The Fulani are the most numerous nomadic people on earth and one of the largest ethnic groups in West Africa. Mostly Muslim, they are primarily nomads and sedentary farmers. They created metalwork African jewelry as arm and ankle bracelets for centuries 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, as there were no banks or conventional currency exchange systems. Their bracelets are found throughout West Africa. 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. During Africa’s colonization in the 1500s, the British, French and Dutch manufactured bracelets in European factories, and called them manillas that became the currency for the slave trade to the Americas. Prohibited for use by foreign traders by the Manilla Currency Ordinance of 1919s,  in the 1940s and 50s they were confiscated and melted down as reusable metal. This one is in excellent condition, has a fine patina with minor pitting and scrapes consistent with age and extensive use.

Click here for Blog Manillas: Former African Trade Currency.