African Liberian Tribal Kru Grebo “Nitien" Currency Ring Cast Brass Copper? RARE

Excellent displayed condition, museum quality piece that rarely come up for sale. Approximately 7.27”x8” and 8lbs 15.4oz. A superb piece, examples of which are usually only found on display behind glass. These objects were historically cast using a copper alloy (brass or bronze) via sand-casting, often featuring a hollow sand or terracotta core. They are primarily attributed to the Kru and Grebo peoples and generally date back to the 19th century or earlier. While often referred to in Western collections as "Kru money" or pre-coinage currency, indigenous traditions hold that these objects were deeply sacred. The Kru and Grebo believed they represented nitien—powerful, living water spirits or water gods found in rivers and lagoons.