Dogon Hair Pin Depicting Frog, Based

A frog is a short sentence about water. The Dogon, who live with dry seasons, would know.

Animal imagery in Dogon art often carries meaning tied to water, fertility and the natural world. This hair pin, made in Mali in the 20th century, was worn as adornment. The shaft is long, dark and smooth, tapering steadily, with fine raised rings near the lower end. At the top, a crisp spiral coil wraps the shaft, and above it a small frog crouches, legs drawn in. The patina is dark and even, lighter on the frog. Ten inches tall on its stand.

Elegant, and a little amphibious.