Congolese Scepter-Form Currency

Marriage, in much of Central Africa, once came with iron.

Long, standardized forms of it were exchanged as money and gathered as wealth, often in connection with marriage payments. This scepter-form piece was forged in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the 20th century. Just over twenty inches long, it is a slim, gently curving rod that tapers to a needle-like point at one end. At the other, the iron is folded back into a short, flattened blade-like section.

The surface is dark rusty brown, fine and even in texture.

One long, quiet line. Add others.