Dogon Cast Brass Fertility Ring

– scroll down to see further images –

This ring has a bezel cast with two cone-like finials that are decorated with a spiral or coil motif. The form appears to be based on the antlers of an antelope (walu), a form more usually employed on Dogon masks (see Lamp et al, 2012, p. 102 for an example), or as van Cutsem (2000) suggests, on the shape of typical traditional Dogon granaries with pointy roofs.

A similar example is illustrated in van Cutsem (2000, p. 65).

The ring has splendid wear with softened contours, and a fine chocolate colour. It is marked to one side of the bezel with an old collection inventory number.