Description
YORUBA, NIGERIA, 19th century or earlier Large torque coin with spiked disc ends. Bronze, old brown and green patina. Marks of use and age. H. 36 cm; L. 39 cm. Provenance: Jean-Yves Coué collection, Nantes, October 6, 2002. Given the scarcity of copper ore in West Africa, the metal was the object of intense trade with Europe and other distant regions of Africa, such as Morocco or Katanga in the Congo. As Laurick Zerbini points out ("L'Afrique sans Masque", 2002), the shape of this coin was inspired by the manilles exported by the Portuguese to the coast of Nigeria as early as the 16th century. Shackles were weights in the form of bracelets of various sizes that served as a means of exchange. However, the role of these pieces was not limited to their market value, as they were also used in social and ritual exchanges. These torques-manilles were also worn by women during certain ceremonies.
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YORUBA, NIGERIA, 19th century or earlier Large torque coin with spiked disc ends. Bronze, old brown and green patina. Marks of use and age. H. 36 cm; L. 39 cm. Provenance: Jean-Yves Coué collection, Nantes, October 6, 2002. Given the scarcity of copper ore in West Africa, the metal was the object of intense trade with Europe and other distant regions of Africa, such as Morocco or Katanga in the Congo. As Laurick Zerbini points out ("L'Afrique sans Masque", 2002), the shape of this coin was inspired by the manilles exported by the Portuguese to the coast of Nigeria as early as the 16th century. Shackles were weights in the form of bracelets of various sizes that served as a means of exchange. However, the role of these pieces was not limited to their market value, as they were also used in social and ritual exchanges. These torques-manilles were also worn by women during certain ceremonies.
