Ring
date: label: Date
content: 13th-14th century
name: label: Maker
content: Inland Niger Delta Style
notes: label: Label Text
content: The surface patina of this ring suggests it was once buried, possibly recovered from an archaeological site. The design--cast copper alloy with delicate linear decoration and the projecting spikes connected with iron pins--is distinctive to the Inland Niger Delta region. This ring is similar to contemporary rings that are worn in pairs by women and are used almost like castanets. Other sources have described similar examples as horse bells.
label: Description
content: Cast copper alloy U form ring with ends that flare into balloon forms that meet in the middle, each with a flat triangular spike that is riveted together. Ring has an overall delicate incised linear pattern and heavy green, possibly archaeological patina.
label: Provenance
content: Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Syrop, New York, -- to 1984
label: Exhibition History
content: African Mosaic: Selections from the Permanent Collection, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., November 19, 2013–August 12, 2019 (installed November 19, 2013–October 13, 2015)
label: Exhibition History
content: African Mosaic: Celebrating a Decade of Collecting, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., November 19, 2010-November 19, 2013
label: Content Statement
content: As part of our commitment to accessibility and transparency, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art is placing its collection records online. Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks. If you see content requiring immediate action, we will do our best to address it in a timely manner. Please email nmafacuratorial@si.edu if you have any questions.
label: Image Requests
content: High resolution digital images are not available for some objects. For publication quality photography and permissions, please contact the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at https://africa.si.edu/research/eliot-elisofon-photographic-archives/
place: label: Geography
content: Mali
topic: label: Topic
content: Adornment
label: Topic
content: male
setName: label: See more items in
content: National Museum of African Art Collection
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Syrop
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of African Art
identifier: label: Object number
content: 84-14-7
objectType: label: Type
content: Jewelry
objectRights: label: Restrictions & Rights
content: CC0
physicalDescription: label: Medium
content: Copper alloy
label: Dimensions
content: H x W x D: 8.5 x 4.4 x 3.0 cm (3 3/8 x 1 3/4 x 1 3/16 in.)