Antique Senufo Manilla Currency Bracelet, West Africa (3143)

Description

For centuries West Africa artisans created metal arm and ankle bracelets as wealth and status, jewelry, trade currency and ceremonial use for births, marriages and burials. In the 16^th century, British, French and Dutch Africa colonizers appropriated these bracelet forms and designs and manufactured their own versions called manillas. Once a beautiful indigenous artform, they became primarily a European manufactured currency based on African traditions for use in the slave trade referred to as “slave bracelets,” “slave trade money” and “bracelet money” to purchase plantation slaves for the Americas. Usually made of alloys of brass, bronze, or copper, their use as a primary currency declined significantly by the 20th century due to abolition of the slave trade, prohibition for use by foreign traders under the Manilla Currency Ordinance of 1919, and introduction of other currencies such as the British West African currency. In the 1940s and 50’s, manillas were confiscated and melted down for use for other purposes. Manillas are still worn by slave descendants in the Caribbean who consider them significant treasures to pass on to future generations.

The Senufo, numbering between 1.5 and 2.7 million people in West Africa, are known for their fine metalwork and their bracelets are found throughout West Africa. This exquisite Senufo heavy brass alloy manilla with a high copper content is ornately embellished and divided into three sections, each with deeply carved geometric panels within horizontal bars across its surface. Pairs of raised ball-like metal pieces frame each section, and C-shaped bracelet ends in flat round discs. In excellent condition with a fine patina.

Click here for the Blog Manillas: Former African Trade Currency.