Dogon Hair Pin Depicting Frog, Based

A snake on the shaft. A frog on the crown. Somewhere, a story requires both.

The Dogon peoples of Mali cast this bronze hair pin in the 20th century. Cast metal pins of this kind were worn as personal ornaments, and their finials often carry animals that hold meaning in the region’s art and stories. Here a frog perches at the top above a modeled head, while a snake coils around the upper shaft. The long, slender pin narrows to a point. The patina is dark brown, lighter on the raised details.

Nine and a half inches, upright on a square black stand. A good place to keep the tall tales.