Cameroonian Bronze Figural Ring

Heavy open ring where a pointed creature head bites down on its own tail.

This figural ring in cast bronze is from Cameroon, Central Africa, and dates to the 20th century. Cameroon's Grassfields region is well known for cast brass and bronze work, much of it made by the lost-wax method. Seen straight on, a rounded, thick ring in mottled olive-green and golden tones, shaped like a loop with a head at the top. Pointed ears and a tight face press together at the join. The surface is rough, pitted and crusted. It is 1.25 inches wide, 0.5 deep and 1 high.

Round and round, and nobody is letting go.