Chamba Figural Coiled Ring with Head

A tiny head perches on the band as if it just landed there.

Chamba metalworkers of Cameroon, Central Africa, made this figural coiled ring in bronze in the 20th century. Bronze rings were commonly worn or kept as personal ornament and as portable wealth in Cameroon and Nigeria. The ring is a thick, open band with a granular surface, and at the top a small head rises from it with rounded ears or horns and bulging eyes. Green and gold show through the casting, and the inside of the band is lightly worn.

About two inches tall, shown on a black ring stand. Small enough to hide, bold enough not to.