Bracelet Currency (Manilla)
ClassificationsClothing and Adornments-arm ornaments-bracelets
Culture
Ibo
Date19th Century
Collection SiteDemocratic Republic of the Congo, Africa
MediumCopper
DimensionsOverall: 6 3/4 x 7/8 x 9 in. (17.1 x 2.2 x 22.9 cm)
Credit LineAnonymous Gift
Object number2003.43.68
DescriptionManillas are a West African currency form which originally derived from copper bracelets or anklets. In the 15th Century Portuguese traders began a 5 century long practice of commissioning large quantities of manillas in Europe to trade in countries such as Nigeria for trade goods such as ivory, spices and palm oil, and slaves. This manilla was made in the 19th Century when the production of manillas had mostly shifted to Birmingham, England and manillas had a highly regularized shape and metal content (70% brass and 30% lead on average).On View
Not on view
19th Century
19th Century
19th Century
19th Century
19th Century
