TRANSATLANTIC SLAVE SHACKLES MANACLES RARE MIDDLE PASSAGE MUSEUM ARTIFACT

Description

MIDDLE PASSAGE TRANSATLANTIC SLAVE SHACKLES
***GOING OUT OF BUSINESS SALE!!!***
MASSIVE PRICE CUT 00.00 REDUCED TO 00.00!!!
This extremely rare pair of shackles is one of only a handful for sale anywhere in the world. I have examined several Transatlantic slave shackles in my life and this is the only pair originating to the earliest years of the transatlantic slave trade. The level of preservation is remarkable and easily rivals the Smithsonian which can be viewed online.
This early version of shackles was used in the transportation of slaves across the Atlantic. While typical naval slave shackles measure around 12 inches, the iron bar on this beast measures over 18inches! As the slave trade evolved more and more slaves were confined to even smaller areas the restraints were downsized as well. Truly, the devil was in the details. In all my years I have never came across slave shackles forged this early on for naval transportation. This is one of the earliest Transatlantic slave shackles to survive the centuries.
An illustration of this type of shackle appears on page 16 of Lydia Maria Child's Appeal in Behalf of that Class of Americans Called Africans (Boston, 1833), where she notes that these shackles were used to secure the ankles of adjacent slaves. "Yet even thus secured, they do often jump into the sea, and wave their hands in triumph at the approach of death"
The shackles, a material artifact of the slave trade, were also a powerful weapon in campaigns to end the transatlantic slave trade. In 1788 the activist Thomas Clarkson presented a similar pair of shackles before the Privy Council in Liverpool and used an engraving as part of his antislavery pamphlet.
The United States Congress passed the Slave Trade Act of 1794, which prohibited the building or outfitting of ships in the U.S. for use in the slave trade. In 1807 Jefferson recommended and Congress acted to outlaw the importation of slaves beginning on 1 January 1808.
Physical description:
Wrought iron, two semicircular leg cuffs attached to a 18 inch long bar.
Oxidization consistent with age and material.
A word of caution...be very vigilant if you see “similar” types of shackles such as these for sale. I have seen a couple of fakes for sale. Fortunately it’s not hard to tell the difference between modern steel that has been “aged” vs antique blacksmith forged iron. This is why I have done my best to take photos of this pair of shackles to show the age (patina or rust), size, and photographic proof of hand forged work of the time period.
I would love to keep this rare artifact in my collection but circumstances have forced me to pass this on. I am accepting offers for this piece and at under a ,000 price tag this is a once in a lifetime bargain.
This item will be shipped with attention to detail to insure a safe arrival.
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