Mongo - DR Congo

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€ 50
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Julien Gauthier
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Selected by Julien Gauthier

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Estimate  € 280 - € 330
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Bronze Mongo ankle ring from the Kongo culture in DR Congo, weighing 2270 g with a size of 12 × 14 × 15 mm, in Angemessener Zustand, sold without a stand, provenance Österreichische Sammlung, R. Herzog Wien.

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Description from the seller

Anklet/Currency - Bronze - Mongo - Ekonda - Kongo DRK

Austrian Collection
R. Herzog Vienna

Such heavy anklets, called 'Konga', were cast by the blacksmiths of the tribes mentioned above in the central Congo from bronze (copper-tin alloys in varying proportions). To do this, flat wooden molds, which already bore the distinctive ridges, were pressed into the sandy ground. Into these negative forms the metal was poured. The cooled plates were then hammered by the blacksmith over a wooden core into a circular, open shape and fitted directly to the woman's leg. The legs of the women were wrapped at the lower edge of the anklets with fabric to prevent injury. Only women from wealthy upper-class families wore such anklets. These 'Konga anklets' were formerly also used in the central Congo as a form of payment ('primitive money').

Anklet/Currency - Bronze - Mongo - Ekonda - Kongo DRK

Austrian Collection
R. Herzog Vienna

Such heavy anklets, called 'Konga', were cast by the blacksmiths of the tribes mentioned above in the central Congo from bronze (copper-tin alloys in varying proportions). To do this, flat wooden molds, which already bore the distinctive ridges, were pressed into the sandy ground. Into these negative forms the metal was poured. The cooled plates were then hammered by the blacksmith over a wooden core into a circular, open shape and fitted directly to the woman's leg. The legs of the women were wrapped at the lower edge of the anklets with fabric to prevent injury. Only women from wealthy upper-class families wore such anklets. These 'Konga anklets' were formerly also used in the central Congo as a form of payment ('primitive money').

Details

Ethnic group/ culture
Mongo
Country of Origin
DR Congo
Material
Bronze
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Fair condition
Height
15 mm
Width
12 mm
Depth
14 mm
Weight
2270 g
Sold by
AustriaVerified
3729
Objects sold
97.32%
pro

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