Kotoko Ring with Animal Motif

Wear a ring, and you wear a message. The Kotoko have known that for a long time.

The Kotoko of Chad live along the rivers south of Lake Chad and are known for small cast ornaments and rings, worn as jewelry and as marks of status or protection. This one is bronze, 20th century. A plain round band supports a lively sculptural cluster: an animal head with rounded features, small ears and a long curving horn sweeping to one side, an upright knob above.

The metal is bright golden on the raised surfaces, with a darker, earthy patina on the inner band.

It wants a thumb, and a mantel when the thumb is busy.