Ashanti Ring with Bullet Motif

Bullets, mounted where another ring would keep a stone.

This ring with a bullet motif is Ashanti, from Ghana in West Africa, 20th century, in 21 karat gold. Ashanti chiefs and court officials wore gold rings like this to display rank and wealth, and guns and bullets in such regalia are often read as allusions to military strength. Here a cluster of pointed cartridges lies crosswise over a textured bar with round ends. A paler, silvery strip runs along one side. The band below is thick and pitted, with an incised oval on the shoulder.

It makes its point before you do.