Dogon Brass Dagger Ring, Africa

Cast Bronze ‘Dagger’ Ring

This ring, cast with a long bezel in the form of a dagger in its sheaf, has a rich, chocolate patina and softened contours, suggesting its significant age. The band itself shows considerable wear and smoothness. The ‘sheaf’ has been cast with three spiral half circle motifs; and the ‘hilt’ has a cruciform form.

The reverse of the bezel is marked with an old collection inventory number.

A similar example is illustrated in van Cutsem (2000, p. 64). Philips (2010, p. 112) illustrates several Akan gold dust weights with a similar knife form.

van Cutsem, A., A World of Rings: Africa, Asia, America, Skira, 2000.

Phillips, T.,

African Goldweights: Miniature Sculptures from Ghana 1400-1900, Edition Hansjorg Mayer, 2010.