Three Katanga Crosses
Luba, Democratic Republic of Congo
19th c
Provenance:
Old American collection
Katanga Crosses, also called handa, is a cast copper ingot in the shape of an equal-armed cross which was once used as a form of currency in parts of what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Few sites in Africa yielded as large a supply of copper ore as the Katanga region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Due to its scarcity, the “red” metal was associated with kings, leadership and wealth, all important factors in its use as currency.
Heights: 7 ¼, 7 and 5 in
Size
/ 18.4, 17.8 and 12.7 cm
Item
IN 3-9-22 / SALE: $450 for the three
Gallery
Three Katanga Crosses
Luba, Democratic Republic of Congo
19th c
Provenance:
Old American collection
Katanga Crosses, also called handa, is a cast copper ingot in the shape of an equal-armed cross which was once used as a form of currency in parts of what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Few sites in Africa yielded as large a supply of copper ore as the Katanga region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Due to its scarcity, the “red” metal was associated with kings, leadership and wealth, all important factors in its use as currency.
Heights: 7 ¼, 7 and 5 in
Size
/ 18.4, 17.8 and 12.7 cm
Item
IN 3-9-22 / SALE: $450 for the three
Gallery
