Lot 1566

Description

Primitive money, Africa, anklet money or baoule, a large cast semi circular raised central rim with decoration on both faces, internally it is hollow and is used as money, external diameter 8.5 cm., overall height 3.7 cm, internal diameter 4.5-5 cm, weight 430 g; (Opitz p.276-277 for similar illustrations); a bracelet with incised lines on the outer rim, 7.4cm diameter and a cast bronze rind with attached man on horse, total height 6.3cm, the last two possibly from Benin. Very fine and very scarce. (3)

Traditionally, these copper 'anklet' forms were recognized and used as currency for rare but major transactions. These anklets were forged and hammered from a single copper ingot.