Ngbaka Mbili or Spear Head Currency

Among the Ngbaka, a bride was not simply married. She was exchanged for, and iron did the talking.

This is an mbili, a spearhead-form currency, forged by the Ngbaka peoples of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the 20th century. In the northern Congo, iron objects like this served as currency and mattered in bridewealth. The broad, shield-like blade rises in a tall arch to a small knob at the tip, a raised rib down its center. At the lower corners, two pointed barbs flick outward. The iron is warm rust-orange, finely pitted. It is mounted on a slim rod.

Symmetry, forged by hand. Few things argue with it.