West African History | |||
These are small manillas made of a copper alloy and dating from the 18th or 19th century. Manillas became used as forms of currency, especially in the Niger Delta area of West Africa. They were manufactured in European foundries, based on African designs, and were frequently used as a source of metal for casting in Africa. More decorative manillas were worn as ornamentation and to signify wealth and status.
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