Angas or Afo, Nigeria: an 'iron money' piece in the form of a big, forged shovel-blade with a handhold.
Angas or Afo, Nigeria: an 'iron money' piece in the form of a big, forged shovel-blade with a handhold.
This iron ‘shovel’ currency was previously in use among the Angas and Afo in the north of Nigeria, north of the river Benue. It is one of the largest and heaviest pre-monetary means of payment to have come from Africa (also known as ‘primitive money’). These forged shovel-blades were not only regarded as valuable objects. They were also pragmatically employed by families in paying the price of brides. In the estimation of specialist Sven-Olof Johansson, the ‘price’ of an Angas woman (as a gift to the bride’s father) amounted to a big piece of iron ‘shovel money’ and 2 goats. The present piece of ‘iron money’ is visibly very old and evinces small sites of corrosion on the right side of the ‘shovel’. Otherwise no damage. Height: 77 cm (with handgrip); width: 53 cm. First half of the 20th century. (ME)
Provenance:
Austrian Private Collection.
Lit.:
'The Perfect Form. On the track of African Tribal Currency' by Roberto Ballarini, ill. 2.64, 2.65, 2.66.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
09.06.2016 - 17:00
- Starting bid:
-
EUR 600.-
Angas or Afo, Nigeria: an 'iron money' piece in the form of a big, forged shovel-blade with a handhold.
This iron ‘shovel’ currency was previously in use among the Angas and Afo in the north of Nigeria, north of the river Benue. It is one of the largest and heaviest pre-monetary means of payment to have come from Africa (also known as ‘primitive money’). These forged shovel-blades were not only regarded as valuable objects. They were also pragmatically employed by families in paying the price of brides. In the estimation of specialist Sven-Olof Johansson, the ‘price’ of an Angas woman (as a gift to the bride’s father) amounted to a big piece of iron ‘shovel money’ and 2 goats. The present piece of ‘iron money’ is visibly very old and evinces small sites of corrosion on the right side of the ‘shovel’. Otherwise no damage. Height: 77 cm (with handgrip); width: 53 cm. First half of the 20th century. (ME)
Provenance:
Austrian Private Collection.
Lit.:
'The Perfect Form. On the track of African Tribal Currency' by Roberto Ballarini, ill. 2.64, 2.65, 2.66.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
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| Auction: | Tribal Art - Africa |
| Auction type: | Saleroom auction |
| Date: | 09.06.2016 - 17:00 |
| Location: | Vienna | Palais Dorotheum |
| Exhibition: | 04.06. - 09.06.2016 |