Early 20th C. African Yoruba Iron Gong Currency
**Originally Listed At $200**
West Africa, northern Nigeria, Yoruba, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A fine example of a forged-iron gong currency piece with a hollow, bell-shaped body, pinched peripheries, and a stocky handle. Iron gongs like this were used as valuable currency pieces for rare, unusual, or significant exchanges, but they were also utilized as ceremonial instruments, divination objects, and potent status symbols for the tribal elite. Size: 2.4" W x 7.625" H (6.1 cm x 19.4 cm)
Provenance: private J.H. collection, Beaverton, Oregon, USA, acquired in May 2006; ex-Santa Fe African Art, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#152014
Condition Report: Minor nicks and stable fissures to lower rim, lateral peripheries, and handle, with light encrustations, and slight bending to overall form of body. Nice earthen deposits and patina throughout.
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**Originally Listed At $200**
West Africa, northern Nigeria, Yoruba, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A fine example of a forged-iron gong currency piece with a hollow, bell-shaped body, pinched peripheries, and a stocky handle. Iron gongs like this were used as valuable currency pieces for rare, unusual, or significant exchanges, but they were also utilized as ceremonial instruments, divination objects, and potent status symbols for the tribal elite. Size: 2.4" W x 7.625" H (6.1 cm x 19.4 cm)
Provenance: private J.H. collection, Beaverton, Oregon, USA, acquired in May 2006; ex-Santa Fe African Art, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#152014
Condition Report: Minor nicks and stable fissures to lower rim, lateral peripheries, and handle, with light encrustations, and slight bending to overall form of body. Nice earthen deposits and patina throughout.
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
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