Kwele
Currency Piece (Zong)
Kwele (Western), 18th-19th century
Physical Qualities
Iron, camwood, 51.3 H x 20 W cm.
Credit Line
Purchased in Honor of Burton 'Buddy' Rosen with funds contributed by his Friends
Object Number
1999.174
Large, forged iron shapes resembling blades were used throughout Central Africa up to the early twentieth century as a medium of exchange, as we use money today. Other objects, such as shells or bolts of cloth were also used. The iron currency pieces were often paid as tribute by the family of the groom to the family of the bride in marriage. Red camwood rubbed on the iron surface indicates some ritual use.
The Baltimore Museum of Art by purchase, 1999; purchased from Mona Gavigan, Gallery Affrica, Washington, D.C., in 1999.
Frederick John Lamp, "See the Music Hear the Dance: Rethinking African Art at the Baltimore Museum of Art." New York: Prestel, 2003, p.231, ill.
