About this artwork
Small cast copper-alloy ornaments are made across West Africa within the arc of the great Niger River. Brass or bronze casting has powerful associations with the supernatural because, like ironworking, it is a highly specialized process that uses fire to transform a raw material into a form that is useful and meaningful to humans. For the Senufo, copper-alloy ornaments are pleasing to the eye and offer protection by representing and honoring nature spirits.
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Status
- Currently Off View
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Department
- Arts of Africa
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Culture
- Senufo
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Title
- Ring Depicting a Chameleon
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Place
- Côte d'Ivoire (Object made in)
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Date
- 1800–1950
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Medium
- Copper alloy
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Dimensions
- 4.6 × 3.2 × 3 cm (1 13/16 × 1 1/4 × 1 3/16 in.)
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Credit Line
- Gift of Muriel Kallis Newman
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Reference Number
- 2007.601
Extended information about this artwork
Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.
