Dogon Hair Pin Depicting Two Reptiles, Based

Two lizards, stacked, tails curled into tight spirals, eyes catching the light.

This Dogon hair pin from Mali was cast in bronze in the 20th century. Ornamental pins of this kind were worn in the hair as adornment, and lizards and similar creatures appear often in Dogon art. Each reptile lies with its pointed snout forward, its body textured with fine incised lines. A ringed collar sits beneath them, above a long, tapering shank.

Seven and three-quarter inches, upright in a black stand, where the lively top shows to best effect. The lizards look pleased about it.