Currency

Browse the collection

Culture Ngelima

Title Currency

Date Unknown

Medium Copper alloy

Dimensions Object: 41 1/2 × 5 × 5 in. (105.4 × 12.7 × 12.7 cm)
Overall: 41 1/2 x 5 x 5 in. (105.4 x 12.7 x 12.7 cm)

Credit Line Gift of Tom Joyce, Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University

Accession Number 2005.307

Share this artwork!

About this Work

Little is known about the Ngelima, who live in the northeastern part of Democratic Republic of the Congo. Copper rods were a common currency in central Africa, but their transformation into long spirals is unusual. The form has a practical value, though: compressing the coils allows the metal to be carried and stored more compactly. The form seems to be intended to recall a snake—note the difference in the treatment of top and bottom—though the reason is not clear.

Provenance
More Details

Provenance research is ongoing for this and many other items in the Eskenazi Museum of Art permanent collection. For more information about the provenance of this artwork, please contact the department curator with specific questions.

Viewing Information
This artwork is currently on view.

Request this Image
The Eskenazi Museum of Art provides images of its collection, free of charge, upon request. This artwork is under copyright protection. You can request the image and it will be emailed to you when the request is complete.

Cite this Page
"Currency | Collections Online." Collections Online. Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 2023. https://artmuseum.indiana.edu/collections-online/browse/object.php?number=2005.307