Lot 235

Description

Traditional Currency and Exchange Objects, Collection of traditional currency and exchange objects from Africa, Asia, the Pacific and the Americas, comprising twenty-six pieces, including:
West Africa, five forged iron Kissi pennies, of varying lengths, with elongated twisted shafts and flattened terminal ends, traditionally used as currency amongst the Kissi peoples of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
North America, six assorted wrought-iron nails, including a bent example and a smaller nail, representative of the use of nails as an alternative exchange medium in colonial America.
Borneo, four irregularly shaped iron balls, of varying sizes, several bearing incised spiral and circular ornamentation, traditionally attributed to Indonesian iron ball money.
Papua New Guinea, four natural and manufactured dog-tooth valuables, including pierced teeth and tooth-shaped trade imitations, associated with customary exchange and personal adornment; together with four curved pig or boar tusks and fragments, including a large near-circular tusk, traditionally valued as symbols of wealth, ceremonial exchange objects and personal ornaments.
Mesoamerica, three copper-alloy axe-shaped currency pieces, of elongated, flattened form with expanded ends, exhibiting substantial dark and green patination, attributed by the collector to Aztec axe or spearhead money. Copper axe-shaped currency, commonly termed tajaderos, was used in parts of pre-Columbian Mexico and continued in circulation into the early colonial period.
A varied assemblage illustrating the use of iron, copper and animal teeth as money, stores of wealth and ceremonial exchange valuables in different societies. Accompanied by the original printed collector's explanatory labels describing the historical origins and customary uses of the objects. Condition varying. Kissi pennies with extensive dark patination, surface rust, pitting and age-related wear, the twisted shafts and terminal forms remaining substantially intact. Wrought-iron nails with varying degrees of oxidation, corrosion, pitting and surface deposits, several exhibiting irregularities and bending. Borneo iron balls with darkened surfaces, corrosion, abrasions and wear, some retaining distinct incised ornamentation. Dog-tooth valuables with discolouration, staining, surface wear and minor irregularities to the pierced ends. Pig tusks with natural yellowing, age-related staining, scratches, chips and old fractures, including incomplete curved sections. Copper-alloy axe-shaped currency pieces with extensive green and dark patination, surface encrustation, oxidation and edge wear. Original explanatory labels with minor discolouration, creasing and handling wear. Fine to very fine overall (26 items.)

From the Alan McRae collection.