{"product_id":"iron-cross-001-antique-african-currency-pair-of-katanga-copper-crosses-handa-dr-congo-circa-1880-1925","title":"Katanga Cross 001: Antique African Currency – Pair of Katanga Copper Crosses (Handa), DR Congo, circa 1880–1925","description":"\u003ch1 data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAntique African Currency – Pair of Katanga Copper Crosses (Handa), DR Congo, circa 1880–1925\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn exceptional example of traditional African currency and copper craftsmanship.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese two impressive X-shaped metal ingots, traditionally known as Katanga Crosses or \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHanda\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, originate from the copper-rich Katanga region of present-day Democratic Republic of the Congo.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMeasuring approximately 22 × 23 cm and 23 × 24 cm respectively, and weighing an estimated 500–600 g each, these distinctive objects represent an important chapter in the monetary and cultural history of Central Africa.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor centuries, Katanga Crosses served as a recognised form of traditional currency and a store of wealth. Cast by local African copperworkers using traditional moulding techniques, they were exchanged in commercial transactions and used for marriage payments, tribute and expressions of social status and authority.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCopper was a highly valued resource in the region, and these distinctive cross-shaped ingots became an important symbol of wealth and influence.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTheir traditional monetary use continued into the early 20th century, before gradually giving way to modern colonial monetary systems.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHistorical provenance and collection\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese examples form part of the private collection of the late Peter Haller, founder of Peter's Antiques in Swakopmund, Namibia, established in 1983.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBased on his experience and longstanding interest in African antiques, historical objects and traditional craftsmanship, Peter Haller personally estimated their period of origin to be approximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1880–1925\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eObject details\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Katanga region, Democratic Republic of the Congo\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCulture:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Central African copperworking tradition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eType:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Traditional currency \/ copper ingot\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTraditional name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Katanga Cross, Handa or Croisette\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEstimated period:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 1880–1925 (dating attributed to Peter Haller)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Copper or copper alloy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approximately 22 × 23 cm and 23 × 24 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWeight:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approximately 500–600 g each\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Attractive natural aged patina, with traditional casting irregularities\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA piece of African history\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn unusual opportunity for collectors of African tribal art, ethnographic objects, historical currencies and traditional metalwork.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBeyond their monetary history, these impressive objects are tangible reminders of the sophisticated trading networks, copper resources and metalworking traditions of Central Africa.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTheir distinctive form, substantial weight and beautiful aged patina make them particularly attractive display pieces for a specialist collection.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAvailable as a pair.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrom the private collection of the late Peter Haller. Offered by Haller Treasure Chest.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Haller Treasure Chest","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57551927509370,"sku":null,"price":795.0,"currency_code":"CHF","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0738\/9125\/0466\/files\/MoneyofKatangaMines_Kongo1880-1925front.jpg?v=1794407977","url":"https:\/\/hallertreasurechest.com\/es\/products\/iron-cross-001-antique-african-currency-pair-of-katanga-copper-crosses-handa-dr-congo-circa-1880-1925","provider":"Haller Treasure Chest","version":"1.0","type":"link"}