Chamba Snake-Form Currency

A spray of snakes, or a flame, in black iron.

The Chamba of Nigeria made this forged iron currency in the 20th century. In many parts of West Africa, iron was itself a form of wealth, and smiths shaped it into distinctive forms that could be exchanged, stored or presented on important occasions. Here a cluster of slender rods gathers into a sharp, conical point at the base and rises in long, wavy, snake-like strands, several twisted along their length and curling at the tips. A taller, straight central spike stands above the rest.

The iron is dark, nearly black, with hints of rust.

Mount it high. Watch it climb.