Chamba Iron Currency, Nigeria, Based

Money, in Chamba country, could be made of iron, and shaped in ways no wallet would tolerate.

Across many parts of West and Central Africa, iron objects in set forms served as money, exchanged in bridewealth and other important transactions and valued for the labor and skill of the smith. This one, forged iron, Nigeria, early 20th century, stands eighteen inches tall on its stand. A heavy open ring rises into two tall serpentine extensions that wind upward in tight wavy coils, each ending in a small curled terminal.

An even rust brown, dry and textured. Mounted on a slim rod and black base.

Abstract sculpture, if you want it. A bank, if you prefer.