Abstract Treasures

Hurst Gallery exhibit archives....
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About the Exhibition

African peoples have been working and refining copper and iron for thousands of years. Among the approximately two dozen currencies on exhibit at Hurst Gallery are included some of the most striking shapes and forms in which these valued materials were exchanged before the colonial era brought European coinage into sub-Saharan Africa. Particular regions or tribal groups were known for their currencies, such as the copper crosses for the Luba, the twisted bronze "snake manila" of the Igbo, and the large flanged "U" forms of the Bankutu. Many of the shapes derive from spear points, hoe blades and bracelets, all items of importance that were made from valued metals. Each of the forms in the exhibition is from a traditional local format and unit.

These unique objects are no longer in use in Africa today. Each piece in the Hurst Gallery exhibition is presented in a setting that emphasizes its aesthetic elegance and formal beauty. These currency forms bear tribute to the tribal blacksmiths who made them and to the economies and values of the traditional African societies where they were created and widely circulated during the 19th century and earlier historic times.

The images that follow here are just a few of those in the exhibition. For a fuller list or images of specific item, please contact the gallery.

Kwadja, Cameroon
Probably 19th Century
Iron
H: 25.4375 in. (64.61125 cm)

Produced in Kwadja, a small locale inhabited only by blacksmiths, this hoe blade form circulated widely in Cameroon and neighboring Nigeria. It formed a unit for bride price. Hoe blades, both domestic and imported have been widely used as currency items in Africa since the 17th century.

Mbole, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Probably 19th Century
Copper
H: 9.875 in. (25.0825 cm)

Used in matrimonial transactions and also worn as anklets. The value was determined by the section, formed of hammered copper sheet and cut to leave a "V" shaped opening of about 1/8th of the circumference.

Ngbaka, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Probably 19th century
Iron
L: 20.875 in. (53.0225 cm)

This currency is known as "Libaka" and is used by the NGbaka and Lobala pepole. The form is that of a hoe blade with knobbed point and winged termini, which visually emphasize the inutility as an implement.

Ngbaka, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Probably 19th Century
Copper
L: 10 in. (25.4 cm)

The form is of a bent bar of square section with slightly expanded and flanged ends. The edges are serrated.

Nkutshu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Probably 19th Century
Copper
H: 15.75 in. (40.005 cm)

This currency was called "kunga" by the Bankutu who made them and "boloko" by the Bohindu who bought them. According to Mahieu, the value was 1 boloko for a male goat, 2 boloko for a male slave and 10 boloko was the ordinary dowry for a woman. The form is a "U" shape with discoidal termini.

	Kwadja, Cameroon Probably 19th Century Iron H: 25.4375 in. (64.61125 cm) Produced in Kwadja, a small locale inhabited only by blacksmiths, this hoe blade form circulated widely in Cameroon and neighboring Nigeria. It formed a unit for bride price. Hoe blades, both domestic and imported have been widely used as currency items in Africa since the 17th century.
	Mbole, Democratic Republic of the Congo Probably 19th Century Copper H: 9.875 in. (25.0825 cm) Used in matrimonial transactions and also worn as anklets. The value was determined by the section, formed of hammered copper sheet and cut to leave a "V" shaped opening of about 1/8th of the circumference.
	Ngbaka, Democratic Republic of the Congo Probably 19th century Iron L: 20.875 in. (53.0225 cm) This currency is known as "Libaka" and is used by the NGbaka and Lobala pepole. The form is that of a hoe blade with knobbed point and winged termini, which visually emphasize the inutility as an implement.
	Ngbaka, Democratic Republic of the Congo Probably 19th Century Copper L: 10 in. (25.4 cm) The form is of a bent bar of square section with slightly expanded and flanged ends. The edges are serrated.
	Nkutshu, Democratic Republic of the Congo Probably 19th Century Copper H: 15.75 in. (40.005 cm) This currency was called "kunga" by the Bankutu who made them and "boloko" by the Bohindu who bought them. According to Mahieu, the value was 1 boloko for a male goat, 2 boloko for a male slave and 10 boloko was the ordinary dowry for a woman. The form is a "U" shape with discoidal termini.