Manilla
West Africa · West Africa
Reference: MND-40
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- Material
- Brass
Manillas, mainly manufactured in England, were introduced into Africa by the million between the 16th and 18th centuries to facilitate trade between Great Britain and what…
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Full original description
Manillas, mainly manufactured in England, were introduced into Africa by the million between the 16th and 18th centuries to facilitate trade between Great Britain and what later became its colonies along the Gulf of Guinea. Large quantities were also imported from France. Grand Bassam, in Côte d’Ivoire, was one of the non-British localities to use this currency.
The manilla was used to purchase local products, but was also an important means of payment for enslaved people. In Grand Bassam, Côte d’Ivoire, manillas remained in use until they were prohibited by the French colonial authorities in 1914, along with all local metal currencies. In the English colonies they remained in use until 1948.
Manilla heavily oxidised through the passage of time.
Further technical information
- Width
- 5 cm
- Attributed period
- 16th–20th centuries
Details transcribed from the original catalogue; they are not a recent physical inspection.
Country on the map
West Africa. The country associated with the catalog is shown, not the current location of the piece.
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Attributions, dates and accounts come from the preserved catalogue. They do not constitute certification of authenticity or provenance. An object’s presence on this website does not mean it is available for sale.
