Description:

Slavery - Middle Passage 18th century Slave Shackle used on Slave Ships to confine Africans to the lower deck.


Rare Middle Passage Slave Shackle used primarily on Slave Ships to confine the Africans to the lower deck. Measuring 16 inches from end to end, it has excellent patina. Fine condition.

Deaccessioned from a museum. From the letter of authenticity: "Middle Passage Slave Shackle: Circa 1700's...This is to certify that the Slave Shackle accompanying this certificate is authentic as described, and was carefully researched through all available sources of information. This is an historical piece of history from the African Slave Trade during the 1700's..." Also includes provenance from Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia, where this item was displayed for 3 years.

"For weeks, months, sometimes as long as a year, they waited in the dungeons of the slave factories scattered along Africa's western coast. They had already made the long, difficult journey from Africa's interior--but just barely. Out of the roughly 20 million who were taken from their homes and sold into slavery, half didn't complete the journey to the African coast, most of those dying along the way...The captives were about to embark on the infamous Middle Passage, so called because it was the middle leg of a three-part voyage-- a voyage that began and ended in Europe. The first leg of the voyage carried a cargo that often included iron, cloth, brandy, firearms, and gunpowder. Upon landing on Africa's 'slave coast,' the cargo was exchanged for Africans. Fully loaded with its human cargo, the ship set sail for the Americas, where the slaves were exchanged for sugar, tobacco, or some other product. The final leg brought the ship back to Europe...The slaves were branded with hot irons and restrained with shackles...:---from PBS.org

Exceptional provenance which consists of a copy of a certificate of authenticity from the Slave Relics Museum - The Center for Research and Preservation of the African American Culture as well as a return receipt from the Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia, PA where these shackles were on loan for a display in their museum.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. Shipping and handling costs are competitive as we maintain discounted contracts with FedEx. If you have any questions, contact University Archives prior to bidding. After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item. We currently ship via FedEx but if your purchase is shipping to a P.O. Box, we ship via USPS. All items are insured. We ship from our offices in Westport, CT. We may opt to use a third party shipper for very fragile, bulky or oversized items. Items requiring third party shipping will be denoted in the item description. Packages shipped internationally will have full value declared on shipping form. International buyers will be responsible for any customs fees incurred.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Westport, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 20% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000