Description:

West Africa, Burkina Faso or Ivory Coast, Senufo, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A symbolic healer's "ring of silence," cast from brass in the form of a buffalo with large horns and a chameleon forming the snout. Sick individuals would often visit diviners / healers belonging to the nookaariga society, and often prescribed a piece of protective jewelry. The diviners themselves wear the bush-cow (forest buffalo) rings as a symbol of their status and initiation into the elite society, and the name "nookaariga" translates to "change into a wild bush-cow." It is believed that the first Senufo healer was given secret knowledge from a magical bush-cow, and so initiated members can transform into cows. Size: 3.5" L x 2.75" W (8.9 cm x 7 cm)

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-Michael Rhodes collection, New York City, New York, USA

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#182130

  • Condition: Ring band is bent and one end of shank is not attached to the ring face, but stable. Dark patina and toning throughout and casting imperfections. Overall great condition.

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December 14, 2023 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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