Congolese Scepter-Form Currency

Twenty inches of iron, and a currency.

Across Central Africa, iron worked into elongated, standard shapes served in exchanges such as bridewealth. This scepter-form piece comes from the Democratic Republic of Congo and was forged in the 20th century. It is a slender rod that tapers to a fine point at one end and bends sharply at the other into a short hooked arm ending in a small flattened tip.

The iron is dark brown, with fine texture along its length.

Alone or in a group, it holds a line.