Lot 1079

Description

Primitive money, Nigeria, Congo and West Africa, manillas, anklets and collars, as circular bars with twisted outer circles, ornate complete round rings, etc. 60-100mm diameter, weighing 60 - 500 g, (cf.Quiggin Plate 1 No.2, 5 etc). Very fine. (10)

Manillas were both decorative and ritualistic, playing a role in ceremonial customary practices connected with marriage and burial. A twisted or snake manilla signified the completion of a bride price transaction (Jeffreys, quoted in Johansson, p23). Dowry was contracted in terms of manillas as well as other payments, for example of goats, dogs, cloth and palm-oil. It is possible that these well and finely made manillas were what Talbot, (in Grey, 'Manillas') refers to as 'abi' or Prince manillas. They provided both stored wealth and symbols of status.