African Collectables & Artefacts

Manillas - from the Spanish for bracelet - became a common form of currency across West Africa, particularly in the slave trade. The first record of this is from Calabar, Nigeria in 1505.

Historically, manillas were made of engraved copper and weighed up to 600 grams or 21 ounces.

This contemporary manilla was made as a curio and is much lighter, about 150 grams, and therefore comfortable to wear.

Probably copper from Nigeria.

Inside diameter:

• 69 mm, approximately