Items located in Pleasant Valley, NY. Items include Faro, the water genie puppet from Mali; West African double gongs; Ode-lay society head crest mask from Sierra Leone; African sculptures, figurines, masks, textiles, ceremonial robes, copper rod currency, and more.

AFRICAN ART COLLECTION OF MARY SUE AND PAUL PETER ROSEN
Mary Sue and Paul Peter Rosen have collected African art for over thirty years, making nine trips to Africa to study the art in its cultural setting. The Rosens have published three African art books, curated more than ten exhibitions from their collection, and have given public lectures about African art and culture. They have donated art from their collection to various institutions including the Newark Museum, Temple University in Philadelphia, the SMA Fathers African Art Museum in Tenafly, New Jersey, and the African American Research Library in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Payment is due by Monday, April 1 at 1PM.

Pickup in Pleasant Valley, NY must be completed by Monday, April 1 at 3PM.


All lots sold as is, where is. There is a 15% Buyers Premium for all lots purchased. Payment methods include cash, MC, Visa, Discover or good check. You can make credit card payment online by going to your Member Area and selecting your invoice.

*NOTE* Shipping is available on all items.

?EMBLEMS OF POWER. ASAFO FLAGS FROM GHANA? BY M.S. AND P.P. ROSEN IS ONLY AVAILABLE FROM THE AUTHORS AT ppr2001@med.cornell.edu PRICE POSTPAID IN US IS $25.00; OUTSIDE US POSTPAID $35.00.

Auction Info
Items located in Pleasant Valley, NY. Items include Faro, the water genie puppet from Mali; West African double gongs; Ode-lay society head crest mask from Sierra Leone; African sculptures, figurines, masks, textiles, ceremonial robes, copper rod currency, and more.

AFRICAN ART COLLECTION OF MARY SUE AND PAUL PETER ROSEN
Mary Sue and Paul Peter Rosen have collected African art for over thirty years, making nine trips to Africa to study the art in its cultural setting. The Rosens have published three African art books, curated more than ten exhibitions from their collection, and have given public lectures about African art and culture. They have donated art from their collection to various institutions including the Newark Museum, Temple University in Philadelphia, the SMA Fathers African Art Museum in Tenafly, New Jersey, and the African American Research Library in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Payment is due by Monday, April 1 at 1PM.

Pickup in Pleasant Valley, NY must be completed by Monday, April 1 at 3PM.


All lots sold as is, where is. There is a 15% Buyers Premium for all lots purchased. Payment methods include cash, MC, Visa, Discover or good check. You can make credit card payment online by going to your Member Area and selecting your invoice.

*NOTE* Shipping is available on all items.

?EMBLEMS OF POWER. ASAFO FLAGS FROM GHANA? BY M.S. AND P.P. ROSEN IS ONLY AVAILABLE FROM THE AUTHORS AT ppr2001@med.cornell.edu PRICE POSTPAID IN US IS $25.00; OUTSIDE US POSTPAID $35.00.

Categories:
TWISTED “PENNY” CURRENCY BUNDLE. Kissi people, Guinea/Liberia. T-shaped iron rods with a twisted shaft that terminate at one end in lateral pointed appendages symbolic of wings or ears (nileng) were widely used as currency among the Kissi people, even as late as the 1950s. During the colonial period, one rod had the value of a British penny, hence the name “Kissi penny”. Bundles of these rods are still used as bride wealth in traditional marriage ceremonies. The flat, round or oval enlargement at the non-T end is considered to be the foot (kodo) or tail. These rods came in various lengths, with the examples in this lot among the longest. The structural features of the rod are an indicator of the quality of the iron as indicated by the ability to twist the shaft, draw the wings out to fine points, and flatten the foot into a thin plate. The value of Kissi pennies was increased when they were forged into bundles which played an important role as symbols of wealth and prestige. When given as bride wealth, the bundle signifies the bond of marriage at which time the wings were folded. Dated 1930s. On custom base. Hand forged iron. H 21in. Exhibited at the Pen and Brush Gallery NY 2003.

Track this Item

More Details
TWISTED “PENNY” CURRENCY BUNDLE. Kissi people, Guinea/Liberia. T-shaped iron rods with a twisted shaft that terminate at one end in lateral pointed appendages symbolic of wings or ears (nileng) were widely used as currency among the Kissi people, even as late as the 1950s. During the colonial period, one rod had the value of a British penny, hence the name “Kissi penny”. Bundles of these rods are still used as bride wealth in traditional marriage ceremonies. The flat, round or oval enlargement at the non-T end is considered to be the foot (kodo) or tail. These rods came in various lengths, with the examples in this lot among the longest. The structural features of the rod are an indicator of the quality of the iron as indicated by the ability to twist the shaft, draw the wings out to fine points, and flatten the foot into a thin plate. The value of Kissi pennies was increased when they were forged into bundles which played an important role as symbols of wealth and prestige. When given as bride wealth, the bundle signifies the bond of marriage at which time the wings were folded. Dated 1930s. On custom base. Hand forged iron. H 21in. Exhibited at the Pen and Brush Gallery NY 2003.

Track this Item

High Bid:
$80.00 – anavik

bidding history

Auction Type: One Lot
Quantity: 1

Bidding has closed on this lot