During the colonization of Africa in the 1500s, the Portuguese, British, French and Dutch appropriated locally made bracelets throughout Africa used for adornment and currency and manufactured their own versions they named “manillas.” Known also as “slave bracelets,” “slave trade money,” and “bracelet money,” they became the prime African currency to purchase slaves for plantations in the Americas. Brass manilas were transported from Europe to West Africa and exchanged for slaves who were then transported to the Americas and the West Indies where profits were used to purchase American cotton shipped to Europe. The price of a slave in manillas varied according to time, place, and type. Manilla were prohibited for foreign traders under the Manilla Currency Ordinance of 1919 but continued to be used by the West African Currency Board for several decades. In the 1940s and 50’s manillas were collected, confiscated and melted down. Manillas are still worn by Caribbean slave descendants as family treasures to pass to future generations.
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Antique Fulani manilla from Mali or Niger, thin C-shaped, rounded smooth surfaces inside divided into 6 sections with incised crosshatch and linear designs. Fine patina, excellent condition signs of use consistent with its age.
Antique thick, rounded and smooth Fulani manilla etched with intricate geometric designs at the ends and apex.
Found in Nigeria, this large C-shaped beautiful antique manilla has rounded smooth surface with fine etched linear design, circles, swirls, stipples, and V-shapes. Fine aged patina, comes with wood and metal stand.
Antique finely-crafted, heavy and massive antique horseshoe-shaped currency bracelet, elaborately designed with intertwined twisted strands, 11 faceted ends incised with circle and diamond designs.
This antique manilla is made by the Kota in the northeastern region of Gabon and Congo. A thin wide C-shaped bracelet with an elaborate five section design, each section has unique designs with long striations, grooved crosshatches, long triangles and angled designs. In very good condition with minor losses, pitting and scratches, its rough surface inside is consistent with its age and use and comes with a wood and metal stand.
Heavy antique exquisite C-shaped Senufo manilla, divided into ornate sections, deeply carved, pairs of raised round metal pieces. Fine patina with wood and metal stand.
Antique 3-sections Senufo manilla with incising, raised bosses and flattened discs at ends. Very heavy, used to store wealth, trade for purchases, bridal dowries or ceremonies. Fine patina, wood and metal stand.
Antique horseshoe shaped Tuareg “King” manilla, magnificent metalwork, 10 faceted flat finial ends with traditional etched and hammered geometric designs, excellent condition, fine patina.
Tuareg horseshoe shape manilla with bulbous rounded faceted ends, hand hammered fine details.
Finely fashioned Tuareg slim circular-shaped manilla bracelet/anklet, hand incised striated decorations, and faceted rounded beads at the open hoof-shaped terminals ends.
Manillas were commonly used by the Yoruba in the Coastal regions of Nigeria and along the Niger River. This thin simple round C-shaped manilla is decorated with incised linear designs on the outer round surface: it is centered on the top with parallel zig zag lines between a set of four parallel indentations which frame it. Each end also has zig zag indented striations. Simple, yet elegant, the bracelet is in very good condition, with normal wear, and pitting that verify its age and use. It comes with a wood metal stand.
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