Dogon Bronze Ring, Mali, Based

Tiny standing figure perched on a coil, rising from a wire like a lollipop.

This bronze ring with a base is Dogon, from Mali, West Africa, and dates to the 19th century. Dogon metalworkers in Mali have long cast small rings and figures in bronze, and these were worn as personal ornaments or kept for family and ritual reasons. Slim figure stands on a flat disc above a looped coil, all held up by a single bent rod. The metal is dark and slightly rough, with mottled patches. A square black base keeps the whole thing upright. It is 1 inches wide, 1 deep and 2.25 high.

Balance is a matter of confidence, and this one has plenty.