Cameroonian Bronze Figural Ring

Chunky open loop with a ridged, helmeted head crouched across the top.

This figural ring in cast bronze is from Cameroon, Central Africa, and dates to the 20th century. In the lost-wax method a wax model is coated in clay, the wax is melted out, and molten metal is poured into the hollow, so each casting is generally individual. Heavy oval ring in mottled olive and gold tones. A creature's head with ridged crest and rounded eyes sits at the top, with clawed forms clasping down both sides. The surface is crusty with green and tan deposits. It is 1.5 inches wide, 0.5 deep and 1.5 high.

Compact, clutching, and thoroughly weathered into character.