Senufo Bronze Anklet Cuff African Currency Bracelet

Metal was highly valued throughout Africa, and, as with most African metal items, pieces that were originally created for an entirely different purpose became viewed as wealth over time and then used as currency in trade for a wide variety of items - the metal could always be smelted down to reform into a more desirable or needed object. Most African tribes used a wide array of metal rings in varying sizes and shapes for adornment and primitive money. While records show that copper rings functioned as currency in Takrur in 1068 A.D., it is commonly believed that copper ingots were mined in the Katanga region as early as the 9th century, and the first appearance of heavy copper bracelets was recorded during the 8th century. Bracelets, often referred to as 'ring money', served as a medium of early exchange in addition to ornamentation - a convenient way to transport wealth was to wear it as a show of prestige and power. The two main techniques for producing the rings or bracelets were drawing wire to forge or form the shape, and casting, and the pieces could easily be melted down (smelted) at another location and then reformed as desired. The use of imported copper and brass bangles or 'manillas' dates back to 1439, when the Portuguese ordered their production from Venice for trade in Africa. The manillas continually grew smaller over time, and their metal content changed from solid copper to brass, and then to highly leaded brass until the importation and use of manillas was prohibited during the early 1900's when the British government sought to establish their own currency and therefore forbade the use of any other. The 'native' currency (or primitive money) that was buried as a result of that British decree was not excavated until much later, and is now surfacing into the current market as art.