Lot 278

Description

Traditional Currency and Exchange Objects, Asia and Africa, Collection of traditional currency and exchange objects from Africa, Asia and the Pacific, comprising seventeen pieces, including:
Siam (Thailand) and Burma, two cast silver-alloy tok currency pieces of the pig-mouth type, with domed, irregular surfaces and dark deposits, traditionally associated with northern Siam and neighbouring Burma; Cameroon, two elongated forged iron Mimba spear-money pieces, with flattened leaf-shaped sections, attributed to nineteenth-century West African exchange practices; Arabia, a copper-alloy spear-shaped currency piece with elongated stem and green patination; Solomon Islands, three traditional fishhooks of bone, shell and other natural materials, with curved dark hooks and fibre bindings, associated with fishing, trade and customary valuables.
West and Central Africa, two pale ivory ring-money pieces, one with an old break and repair; a broad, flattened ivory ring attributed to the Congo region; three copper-alloy manillas of varying forms, comprising an elephant-foot type with enlarged decorated terminals, a broad engraved ring with decorated ends, and an open copper-alloy ring with diagonal incised ornament.
Also a small carved ivory or bone pendant in the form of a human face or mask, with suspension hole, attributed to Guinea; China, a small silver-coloured shoe or boat-shaped sycee-type ingot; and Thailand, an irregularly shaped stone axe head, described in the collector's documentation as stone axe currency.
An interesting and varied assemblage illustrating traditional forms of money, stored wealth, exchange valuables and ceremonial objects from several cultures, accompanied by the original collector's printed explanatory labels. Cultural attributions and historical descriptions follow the accompanying documentation. The two pig-mouth currency pieces heavily toned and encrusted, with irregular casting surfaces, oxidation and surface deposits. Iron spear money with extensive rusting, pitting and corrosion; copper-alloy spear-shaped piece with green patination and surface accretions. Fishhooks with age-related discolouration and wear, some fraying and deterioration to fibre bindings. Ivory and bone objects with natural colour variation, staining, rubbing and minor edge wear; one ivory ring with an old break and repair. Copper-alloy manillas with brown patination, minor surface abrasions, oxidation and wear to decorative details. Stone axe head with weathered surfaces, abrasions and edge irregularities. Sycee-type piece with toning and surface wear. Original explanatory labels generally preserved, some with age-related discolouration and minor edge damage. Condition varying (17 items.)

From Alan McRae collection.