-40%
HANDA CROSS CURRENCY COPPER KATANGA DEM REP CONGO C. AFRICA EARLY 20TH C.
HANDA CROSS CURRENCY COPPER KATANGA DEM REP CONGO C. AFRICA EARLY 20TH C.
HANDA CROSS CURRENCY COPPER KATANGA DEM REP CONGO C. AFRICA EARLY 20TH C.
HANDA CROSS CURRENCY COPPER KATANGA DEM REP CONGO C. AFRICA EARLY 20TH C.

HANDA CROSS CURRENCY COPPER KATANGA DEM REP CONGO C. AFRICA EARLY 20TH C.

$ 261.36

Availability: 78 in stock
  • Tribe: Katanga
  • Material: Copper
  • Condition: See description
  • Color: Copper
  • Maker: Katanga
  • Restocking Fee: No
  • Original/Reproduction: Original
  • Item must be returned within: 14 Days
  • Refund will be given as: Money back or replacement (buyer's choice)
  • Return shipping will be paid by: Seller
  • All returns accepted: Returns Accepted

    Description

    GJPaw
    Auctions is very pleased to offer an authentic copper Handa Cross from the Katanga people, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa.
    The name derives from
    Katang
    a, a rich copper mining region in the south-eastern portion of the DRC
    .
    This form of currency known as the Katanga Cross can be traced back to the 11
    th
    -14
    th
    Century A.D. Various examples were excavated from tombs in the region of Upemba and the valleys of the upper courses of the Zambesi. They were also found in the south-east region of Zaire (now the Republic of Congo). These pieces of currency were typically made of copper that came from malachite deposits.
    These X-shaped
    ingots
    were cast by local coppersmiths by pouring molten copper into
    sand molds. The size varies as the value of the currency does. Typically, with 3 Katanga Crosses, one could buy a goat, and 4 to 5 one could buy a cow. The currency was found all over the Shaba region but was well-known and used as currency all over equatorial Africa all the way to the Angola Coast. This superb piece measures 6 inches in width by 8 inches in depth (16.5 cm by 20.3 cm). It also comes with a specially designed, hand-made, museum stand. It is generally in very good condition and shows wear consistent to a dating from the late-19th century, including surface scratches, rubbing and patina color variation. A superb collector’s piece, it would make a fine addition to any collection of African art.
    GJPaw
    Auctions has been in the Art business for over 25 years and is now expanding its operation to eBay.  Our goal is to bring the same experience and excitement of collecting that we have been delivering in-person to collectors across the Globe at
    Primitive
    in Chicago.  Every object we sell online has been carefully hand-selected with special attention to detail, quality, significance, and authenticity. We ship worldwide. Add
    GJPaw
    to
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    A1100-024