Description

Three antique Okpoho manilla currency bracelets from West Africa.
Cast in copper alloy and displaying a rich vert-de-gris patina, these classic horseshoe-shaped manillas were once used as a form of currency and a symbol of wealth throughout the region. Their smooth surfaces reflect years of handling and circulation, bearing witness to a long history of trade and exchange.

Manillas played an important role in West African commerce from the 15th through the early 20th century and often held greater monetary value than cowrie shells. Originally introduced as trade currencies, they later acquired cultural significance as adornments, ceremonial objects, and indicators of status.

This set consists of three matching Okpoho manillas, a well-known form distinguished by its substantial size and characteristic shape.
Their attractive aged patina and historical significance make them appealing examples for collectors of African art, ethnographic artifacts, and antique currencies.

Dimensions
Diameter: Approximately 19–20 cm
Weight: 260 g

References
Manillas were widely used as currency in West Africa from the 15th to the 20th century and remain important artifacts of African trade history.