Chamba Iron Torque

A spectacular and rare torque, or men’s society regalia, from the Chamba people of East Nigeria. The actual cultural purpose and meaning of this unusual work is unknown. Double spiral finials are frequently encountered motifs in cultural ironworks of the Upper Benue: the Chamba have a ritual spear with this motif; the Mumuye have a type of currency and belt ornament with flattened double spirals. Chamba miniature ritual hoe currencies, found in a myriad of forms, frequently feature bifurcated tangs with spiral terminals, departing from functional tool design to serve a symbolic rather than utilitarian purpose. By employing the spiral motif in this torque, the blacksmith who made it created imaginative and unique terminals for this neck ornament or currency form, while simultaneously referencing other traditional works of ritual wealth. Ex Seydou Ndam, ex Carlo Bella. $500

10″ height with base

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