Ethnic Design Collection Reto Zehnder

Originally used as hair ornaments that would represent wealth, or worn braided onto a leather thong as a currency belt, and used as currency in tribal trade. Some have a  "snake skin" cross-hatch pattern. To add to an African collection or polished many of them make beautiful fingerrings.

Brass rings from West Africa, some may be Dogon, some others from Nigeria.  Originally used as hair ornaments that would represent wealth, or worn braided onto a leather thong as a currency belt, and used as currency in tribal trade. Some have a  "snake skin" cross-hatch pattern. 

Fulani women wear them on their anklet. They were also used as bride monney and as currency. A similar bracelet is attributed by Glar 2012 to the Gurunsi tribe (Bukina Faso).

Very rare and interesting twisted Kissi pennies. They are most probably far over a 100 years old. A beautiful object, in perfect condition

Four of them without feet. The shape of the Kissi money is rather odd. Its characteristic form is a twisted rod of iron with flattened ends: a flat, hoe-like spatula at one end (Nileng) and a sharpened ‘T’ at the other (Kodo) the bundle of 20 pieces was called Bournou. Kissi pennies were in use until mid 20th century.

Making a gignity stzaff for the chief was a tough job for a blacksmith. Staffs reprensent the chiefs autority. The Dogon made staffs with small bells attached to it. The bells had to wake up the spirits and make them listen to the prayers adressed to them. All staffs are connected with Nommo the Creator of the first Hogon, the blacksmith. the iron staffs were mostly place nearby the grave of the ancestor-founder of the village. (Eerhardt p. 100 - 105)

The Lobi snakes have always one or two heads. They were used as protective charms and used in transactions as money. Women who had to work in the fields attached the snakes to the legs of their calves to prevent them from snakebites.

Despite the dangers of living among snakes, many tribes in Burkina Faso have seen snakes as sacred. Killing or eating them was forbidden, while the shedding of their skin was a symbol of rebirth. The animals were more than a symbol; to some they were mediators between this world and the next. In particular, the Lobi and Gan people incorporated the snake motif into much of their brass and copper artworks, which served as decoration, protective amulets and adornment, shrine ornaments, and metal currency. (http://www.beprimitive.com/blog/welcome-to-burkina-fasssssso)

Origin is uncertain, but the Lobi of Bukina Faso have similar ritual poles.

Lobi Iron Currency in Snake form from Burkina Faso. Made by the village Blacksmith. This snake was used as a trade object by the Tribe. Coiled iron snakes were also placed atop hearths in homes, supposedly to ward off evil spirits and to protect them from a snake's bit. An important health amulet.

Lobi Iron Currency in Snake form from Burkina Faso. Made by the village Blacksmith,This snake was used as a trade object by the Tribe.
Coiled iron snakes were also placed atop hearths in colonial homes, supposedly to ward off evil spirits and to protect them from a snake's bit. An inportant health amulet

This anklet belongs to people of higher rank and were associated with fertility. The anklet has a Senufo design. Made out of Brass ( an alloy of copper and zinc) by the lost wax casting technique.

.For 3 the head is missing and for the 2 others the foot. The shape of the Kissi money is rather odd. Its characteristic form is a twisted rod of iron with flattened ends: a flat, hoe-like spatula at one end (Nileng) and a sharpened ‘T’ at the other (Kodo) the bundle of 20 pieces was called Bournou. Kissi pennies were in use until mid 20th century.

Eleven single Kissi pennies arranged on a wooden base

The shape of their currencies is somewhat different from the Kissi pennies. Itz uses a circular iron rod, never twisted, The ears are asymmetrical. They have been in use in the western regions of Ivory Cost

A bundle of 10 thin twisted iron rods, with a flat flower-like shape at one end and a sharpened T at the other. The T sharpened end with 2 points was called Kodo (foot) and the flower-like end was called Nileng (ear).

The shape of the Kissi money is rather odd. Its characteristic form is a twisted rod of iron with flattened ends: a flat, hoe-like spatula at one end (Nileng) and a sharpened ‘T’ at the other (Kodo) the bundle of 20 pieces was called Bournou. Kissi pennies were in use until mid 20th century.