Collection record · Small worlds
Ring
The collection record classifies this work as jewelry. It is dated before 1975. Recorded culture or place: Africa, West Africa, Mali, Dogon-style maker.
Explore the object recordOBJECT RECORD
A closer look at the details.
- Museum title
- Ring
- Date
- before 1975
- Culture / origin
- Africa, West Africa, Mali, Dogon-style maker
- Materials and technique
- Copper alloy
- Dimensions
- Diameter: 6.4 x 1.7 cm (2 1/2 x 11/16 in.)
- Artist / maker
- Not specified by the museum
- Museum
- The Cleveland Museum of Art
- Accession number
- 1975.1008
FROM THE MUSEUM
In the museum’s words
The following description is reproduced from the Cleveland Museum of Art’s original English record.
This ring may have belonged to a Hogon, the highest religious dignitary in a Dogon community, who wore it among the many insignia of his status. The horse is a kind of moving throne, indicating the physical and symbolic power of its rider, who is placed physically in space above others. While it is difficult to make out details on the rider, the horse is well-equipped with a bridle and saddle. The circular shapes at the front and back of the animal's sides may represent shields. To make this ring, a smith first modeled it in wax. The wax was covered in clay and melted out when baked, leaving behind a mold to pour liquid metal into.
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Text and image sources
The Cleveland Museum of Art · The Harold T. Clark Educational Extension Fund · CC0
The summary is based on public collection data. Refer to the museum’s latest record for the title, date and attribution.
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