African Senufo Brass Diviner's Ring W/ Bush Cow Head - Feb 16, 2024 | Artemis Gallery In Co
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African Senufo Brass Diviner's Ring w/ Bush Cow Head

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African Senufo Brass Diviner's Ring w/ Bush Cow Head
African Senufo Brass Diviner's Ring w/ Bush Cow Head
Item Details
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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African Senufo Brass Diviner's Ring w/ Bush Cow Head

Estimate $600 - $900
See Sold Price
Starting Price $300
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Item located in Louisville, CO, US
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Artemis Gallery

Artemis Gallery

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Louisville, CO, United States7,933 Followers
Auction Curated By
Bob Dodge
Owner/Executive Director, Antiquities & Pre-Columbian Art
Sydelle Dienstfrey
PhD. Art History, Director, Fine & Visual Arts
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