Iron blade, Congo, 19th century
Iron blade, Congo, 19th century
Usage conditions apply
- Description
- Many communities have designed money in the shape of objects that are important to them, such as tools and weapons. They usually do not make them sharp, though. They were only supposed to be used to make payments.
- This tall blade was used by a Turumbu (too-ROOM-boo) community of the Democratic Republic of the Congo for wedding gifts and to purchase important items, such as a canoe. It is 5 feet, 7 inches tall.
- Object Name
- blade
- spearhead
- date made
- 19th century
- place made
- Congo
- Physical Description
- iron (overall material)
- Measurements
- average spatial: 67 in x 13 in x 2 cm; 170.18 cm x 33.02 cm x 25/32 in
- ID Number
- 1992.0406.0001
- catalog number
- 1992.0406.0001
- accession number
- 1992.0406
- catalog number
- 92.406.01
- Credit Line
- Elvira Clain-Stefanelli
- See more items in
- Work and Industry: National Numismatic Collection
- Exhibition
- Really BIG Money
- Exhibition Location
- National Museum of American History
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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