WEST AFRICAN MANILLAS
    Made and used in coastal western Africa from Cameroun to Ghana and intimately associated with the slave trade.  Early in the 19th century a large number were made in Birmingham, England.  20 years ago the Birmingham type was easily available, but I haven't seen them for a long time.  The first Birminghams were cast iron to save money, but the Africans wouldn't use them.  I've never seen any of those.

NIGER, 17-18th c., brass "popo" manilla, ~80mm, 120g, according to Scott Semans, this type was mostly made in Nantes, France, $12.50
Click picture for enlargement.
-10 pcs $89.00
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

NIGERIA, eastern region, Fulani, 18-early 19th c., "okombo" type, 85mm, 156g, crude, $24.00 sold
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

NIGERIA, SE region, 18-19th c., "abi" or "okombo" type in lead, very rare, 55mm dia, $50.00 sold
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

NIGERIA, eastern region, Fulani, 18-early 19th c., "nkobnkob" type, 72mm, ~100g, $21.00
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

NIGERIA, eastern region, Fulani, 18-early 19th c., "mkporo" type, 72mm, ~60g, $26.00 sold 12/22/2009
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

NIGERIA, eastern region, Fulani, 18-early 19th c., "onoudo" type, ~60mm, ~100g, $21.00 sold
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

NIGERIA, Hausa, 15-19th c., copper "king" manilla, 306mm across, scattering of small stamped circles for decoration, casting flaw, impressive, $400.00 sold


 4/20/2020 A customer more knowledgeable than I am offers this attribution:

They come from certain Ngelima-speaking tribes (Mbole, Mongo, Lokele) in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

 
 







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