This elegantly shaped iron blade, called an 'akika,' is an early form of currency for Idoma-speaking people in Nigeria that continues to be used for some traditions today. In the 17th century, traders along the Benue river used akika alongside a barter system to conduct regular trade. After British colonial occupation and the imposition of national currency, akika began to be used only for ceremonial occasions, such as a wedding, where the groom's family customarily gives a substantial gift to the bride's family. Originally formed from a hoe blade, one surface of the akika is hammered while the other side is flat.The akika's striking form makes it popular among collectors in the US and Europe. This piece is of excellent aesthetic quality, compared to more recent such objects that have been produced for the art market which may be poorly made from metal alloys and reduced in size and weight.

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