Special Pricing! Handa Cross Currency Bronze Katanga Drc. Africa Early 20Th C.

GJPaw  Auctions is very pleased to offer an authentic bronze Handa Cross from the Katanga people, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa. The name derives from  Katanga, a rich 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 11th-14th 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 bronze 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 9.5 inches in width by 4 inches in depth by 19 inches in height (24.1 cm by 10.1 cm by 48.2 cm), which includes the specially designed, hand-made, iron, 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.

SPECIAL PRICING FOR LIMITED TIME: REDUCED FROM $2950 TO $1200