Set of 4 Katanga Cross Tiny Currency Copper Alloy Luba COOPER COLLECTION

Description

Title
Set of 4 Katanga Cross Tiny Currency Copper Alloy Luba COOPER COLLECTION
Type of Object
Currency
Country of Origin
Democratic Republic of Congo
People
Luba
Materials
copper or brass, unknown metal content.
Approximate Age
Early to mid 20th century
Height (in)
.25 - .75 inches length
Width (in)
.25 - .75 inches width. See picture with penny for size comparison (US penny is 19mm diameter).
Overall Condition
Good. Most of our pieces have spent decades on at least two continents, and have been treasured by several owners. Please look carefully at the pictures which may also reveal condition and damage.
Damage/Repair
Tarnished, embedded dirt, and bent, some casting flaws
Picture is an example, yours will be similar. You are buying one set of 4.
From the collection of Austin Cooper, whose collection, built over 30 years, contained superb examples of ancient beads, Venetian and other European trade beads, Bodom, Akosu, and Kiffa beads, Jatim and other rare Asian beads.  Austin had a superb eye, and Africa Direct is proud to be able to offer his beads, his legacy, many of which are of a quality rarely available today.
Additional Information:
This Katanga cross is found among the Luba of Katanga where Copper is known as one of the most important row material. Several examples of these crosses were found in the Upembe and Zambezi regions. These crosses were used as currency in commercial transactions as well as an exchange unit during the matrimonial ceremonies. Suzan Lerer has published three crosses similar to this one but attributed to the Igbo Ukwu and known as West African Katanza (Katanza name may derive from the Katanga province in the Democratic Republic of Congo where copper crosses like this were extensively used. For more information see Susan Lerer AFRICAN METALWORK and IVORY1993, p. 33, fig. 45
See Roberto Ballarini, Black Africa's Traditional Arms, p. 118-119 for a Luba example.
CLM0621
**137949**
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