A Djenne Pendant and 4 Pre-Coinage Currencies,... Lot n° 3

One pendant and 4 pre-coinage currency, "handa". 1x Djenne, Mali / 4x Pre-Luba, DR Congo, Katanga Ohne Sockel / without base Copper alloy. L 2,5 - 4 cm. Ø 6,5 cm. Provenance: - Galerie Walu, Zurich (before 1990). - Swiss private collection, Basel. Due to the value of the processed raw material (copper), such crosses ("Katanga crosses") were used in trade as pre-coinage means of payment. This so-called primitive money was cast in standardized form and exchanged over long distances. At the beginning of the 20th century, most colonial powers banned these forms of money as means of payment in order to establish their own currencies. Further reading: Ballarini, Roberto (2009). The Perfect Form.On the Track of African Tribal Currency. Milan: Galleria Africa Curio. CHF 100 / 200 EUR 100 / 200