african money
Old Money: Currency forms of sub-Saharan Africa at Hurst Gallery
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53 Mount Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 491-6888 managerAThurstgallery.com
Norman Hurst: Owner, Dealer, and Director
Mary Fichtner: Gallery Manager
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February 24 – April 6, 2007
Indigenous African currencies were both aesthetic and
functional. Composed of metal, shell, beads, cloth, and even salt,
regional currency forms varied widely. In its latest exhibition, Hurst
Gallery offers a comprehensive collection of African currency with forms as
varied as the horseshoe boloko of the Nkutshu peoples and the
spear-like doa currency of the Topoke peoples of the Democratic
Republic of Congo.
Old Money represents both the functional and abstract forms
characteristic of traditional African monies. Certain currency
forms—such as spearheads, hoes, knives, or jewelry—had real commodity value,
and thus derived their worth from the implements they represented. These
utilitarian forms of currency are juxtaposed with a selection of abstracted,
elaborated shapes, most of which are based on the functional prototypes
mentioned above. The largest, least portable objects (such as the Katanga
crosses of the Luba peoples or the twisted bronze "snake manila" of
the Igbo) were often restricted to "big business" transactions,
including the payment of fines and bride-prices.
Still other currency forms represented in the exhibition were specially shaped
for use as media of exchange without reference to any commodity parity or
prototype. The famous Kissi pennies of Sierra Leone, for example, were
used in the marketplace for the purchase of everyday goods. Their function
and use most resembles that of the colonial period, with its European systems of
coinage and notes.
Additionally, the exhibition includes traditional prestige objects and those of
symbolic value. There are several purses and pouches, in which some form off
currency would have been transported. Also represented are weapon forms
and symbolic power emblems, speaking to the flexible concept of currency in
traditional African societies.
Because iron and copper alloy were valued significantly less in
Europe, European economic influence in sub-Saharan Africa during the nineteenth
century brought about rapid change in the use and acceptance of these
traditional forms of currency. In some cases, native currencies were
retained for ritual and ceremonial exchange, but most of the indigenous forms
quickly fell out of use.
The currency forms offered in Old Money pay tribute to the creative
energy and inspiration of the tribal blacksmith. Hurst Gallery hopes that
visitors to the exhibition will also find the objects moving and beautiful in
their own right. Old Money seeks to illuminate for the viewer the
past function of these currencies, while emphasizing their lasting elegance and
beauty.
View thumbnails of the exhibition:
The following are representative examples of the types of currencies featured
in “Old Money.” In many cases, there are several available examples for each
type represented here. Please contact the gallery for more information.
Dimensions are approximate. For space considerations, the Democratic Republic
of Congo (formerly Zaire) has been abbreviated to “DRC.”
(Click on photo to see a larger image of the object)
 11.
Hoe currency, “kundja”
Ngelima or Mongo peoples, DRC
Iron
Height circa 40 inches
$850 – $950 |
 12.
Gong currency, "gunga"
Nkutshu/Jonga peoples, DRC
Iron
Height 21 inches
$1200 |
 13.
Gong currency, "gunga"
Probably Igbo peoples, Nigeria
Iron
Height 12 inches
$650 |
 14.
Sickle currency
Mumuye peoples, Nigeria
Iron
Height 13.5 – 18 inches
$500 – $850 |
1 5.
Abstract openwork currency
Azande peoples, DRC
Copper
Height 15 – 16 inches
$1300 |
 16.
Cross currency, "mnamu ya biombo" (Katanga cross)
Luba peoples, DRC
Copper alloy
Height 9.5 inches
$800 – $850 |
 17.
“H”-form currency
Luba peoples, DRC
Copper alloy
Length circa 3 inches
$450 |
 18.
Bar currency
Ngombe, DRC
Copper alloy
Height 19 – 22 inches
$950 |
 19.
Conus shell currency
Lunda, Luba, or Tabwa peoples, Democratic Republic of Congo/Zambia
Diameter 2.6 inches
$175 |
20. Spiral bow currency
Matakam (Kirdi), Cameroon
Iron
Height circa 8 inches
SOLD
The following are representative examples of the types of currencies featured
in “Old Money.” In many cases, there are several available examples for each
type represented here. Please contact the gallery for more information.
Dimensions are approximate. For space considerations, the Democratic Republic
of Congo (formerly Zaire) has been abbreviated to “DRC.”
Old Money: Currency forms of sub-Saharan Africa
February 24 – April 6, 200
The following are representative examples of the types of currencies
featured in “Old Money.” In many cases, there are several available
examples for each type represented here. Please contact the gallery for
more information.
Dimensions are approximate. For space considerations, the Democratic
Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire) has been abbreviated to “DRC.”
(Click on photo to see a larger image of the object)
21. Bell currency
Yoruba, Nigeria
Iron
Height 12.6 inches
$1,500 |
 22.
Bead currency, ”nzimbu“
Congo River basin, DRC
Glass
Length 43 inches
$400 |
 23.
Kissi pennies
Kissi; Sierra Leone, Sierra Leone, Guinea
Iron
Length circa 12 inches
$600 for lot |
 24.
Purse
Fingo peoples, Republic of South Africa, Eastern Cape
Leather and metal
Length 35 inches
$650 |
 25.
Purse
Fingo peoples, Republic of South Africa, Eastern Cape
Leather, metal, bicycle reflector
Length 34 inches
$650 |
 26.
Purse
Kuba peoples, DRC
Glass beads, cloth, fiber
Length 24 inches
$1,500 |
 27.
Scepter
Konda peoples, DRC
Iron
Height 11 inches
$900 |
 28.
Ceremonial staff
Asante peoples, Ghana
Iron
Height 47 inches
$1,750 |
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Bibliography
Old Money: Currency forms of sub-Saharan Africa
- Ballarini, Roberto. Armi Bianche Dell’Africa Nera (Black Africa’s
Traditional Arms). Milano: Africa Curio, 1992.
- Horstmann, Udo. Other People’s Money: Money in Africa, ex. cat.
Zug, Switzerland: The Huberte Goote Gallery, 1995.
- Johansson, Sven-Olof. Nigerian Currencies: Manilla, cowries and others.
2nd edition, trans. Jim Learmonth. Sweden: Alfa-Truck, 1967.
- M.J. Herskovits, The Economic Life of Primitive Peoples.Journal of the
Royal African Society, Vol. 40, No. 159 (Apr., 1941), pp. 188-189.
- Opitz, Charles J. Odd and Curious Money: Descriptions and values,
2nd edition. Oscala, FL: First Impressions Printing, 1991.
- Quiggin, A. Hingston. A Survey of Primitive Money: the Beginnings of
Currency. London: Methuenn & Co, Ltd, 1979.
- Westerdijk, Peter and Joan Rosacsco, ed. Symbols of Wealth:
Abstractions in African Metalwork , ex. cat.Michael Wrad, Inc, New
York, 1988
- Wieschhoff, H.A. Primitive Money, University Museum Bulletin (Vol
11, No. 3), Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Dec. 1945.
- The Neil Kent Becker Collection of Primitive Money. Auction Cat. New York:
Christie’s East, Saturday, February 7, 1981 (sale no. 153).
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22.
Bead currency, ”nzimbu“
23.
Kissi pennies
24.
Purse
25.
Purse
26.
Purse
27.
Scepter
28.
Ceremonial staff