African Senufo Brass Diviner's Ring w/ Bush Cow Head
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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
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
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#182130
Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-Michael Rhodes collection, New York City, New York, USA
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#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.
Buyer's Premium
- 27.5%
African Senufo Brass Diviner's Ring w/ Bush Cow Head
Estimate $600 - $900
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Item located in Louisville, CO, USSee Policy for Shipping
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Auction Curated By
Owner/Executive Director, Antiquities & Pre-Columbian Art
PhD. Art History, Director, Fine & Visual Arts
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