Tall Congo Anklet
A tall old Congo anklet, the ends closed at the back, heavy copper content.
The copper mines of the Congo have produced rich, fine copper for more than a thousand years, long before the plunderings and murderous activities of King Leopold II of Belgium.
Here is an anklet heavy in native copper, a prestigious indication of wealth, worn by women of high status. The metal worker and blacksmith of Africa was both revered and feared. It is no coincidence that the piece on offer would have also functioned as a valuable reservoir of wealth, currency for ritual or matrimonial compensations, and other important transactions. Once worn, it was rarely removed.
This is an unusually tall example from the Mongo people dating to the 19th century or before. Anklets found in other areas of the Congo and Africa may measure half of this height. Weighing nearly 8.5 lbs / 3.8 Kg it would have transformed the gait of its owner to a slow and deliberate pace.
Heigth: 23 cm / 9 in
Width: 14 cm / 5.5 in
3.80 Kg / 8.40 lbs
$950
A tall old Congo anklet, the ends closed at the back, heavy copper content.
The copper mines of the Congo have produced rich, fine copper for more than a thousand years, long before the plunderings and murderous activities of King Leopold II of Belgium.
Here is an anklet heavy in native copper, a prestigious indication of wealth, worn by women of high status. The metal worker and blacksmith of Africa was both revered and feared. It is no coincidence that the piece on offer would have also functioned as a valuable reservoir of wealth, currency for ritual or matrimonial compensations, and other important transactions. Once worn, it was rarely removed.
This is an unusually tall example from the Mongo people dating to the 19th century or before. Anklets found in other areas of the Congo and Africa may measure half of this height. Weighing nearly 8.5 lbs / 3.8 Kg it would have transformed the gait of its owner to a slow and deliberate pace.
Heigth: 23 cm / 9 in
Width: 14 cm / 5.5 in
3.80 Kg / 8.40 lbs
$950
A tall old Congo anklet, the ends closed at the back, heavy copper content.
The copper mines of the Congo have produced rich, fine copper for more than a thousand years, long before the plunderings and murderous activities of King Leopold II of Belgium.
Here is an anklet heavy in native copper, a prestigious indication of wealth, worn by women of high status. The metal worker and blacksmith of Africa was both revered and feared. It is no coincidence that the piece on offer would have also functioned as a valuable reservoir of wealth, currency for ritual or matrimonial compensations, and other important transactions. Once worn, it was rarely removed.
This is an unusually tall example from the Mongo people dating to the 19th century or before. Anklets found in other areas of the Congo and Africa may measure half of this height. Weighing nearly 8.5 lbs / 3.8 Kg it would have transformed the gait of its owner to a slow and deliberate pace.
Heigth: 23 cm / 9 in
Width: 14 cm / 5.5 in
3.80 Kg / 8.40 lbs
$950