Dogon Lost-Wax Bronze Aduno Koro Box – Ancestor Figures – 19th Century or Earlier

Dogon Lost-Wax Bronze Aduno Koro Box – Ancestor Figures – 19th Century or Earlier

$1,750.00
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Dogon Lost-Wax Bronze Aduno Koro Box – Ancestor Figures – 19th Century or Earlier
  • Dogon Lost-Wax Bronze Aduno Koro Box – Ancestor Figures – 19th Century or Earlier
  • Dogon Lost-Wax Bronze Aduno Koro Box – Ancestor Figures – 19th Century or Earlier
  • Dogon Lost-Wax Bronze Aduno Koro Box – Ancestor Figures – 19th Century or Earlier
  • Dogon Lost-Wax Bronze Aduno Koro Box – Ancestor Figures – 19th Century or Earlier
  • Dogon Lost-Wax Bronze Aduno Koro Box – Ancestor Figures – 19th Century or Earlier
  • Dogon Lost-Wax Bronze Aduno Koro Box – Ancestor Figures – 19th Century or Earlier
  • Dogon Lost-Wax Bronze Aduno Koro Box – Ancestor Figures – 19th Century or Earlier
  • Dogon Lost-Wax Bronze Aduno Koro Box – Ancestor Figures – 19th Century or Earlier
  • Dogon Lost-Wax Bronze Aduno Koro Box – Ancestor Figures – 19th Century or Earlier
  • Dogon Lost-Wax Bronze Aduno Koro Box – Ancestor Figures – 19th Century or Earlier
  • Dogon Lost-Wax Bronze Aduno Koro Box – Ancestor Figures – 19th Century or Earlier
  • Dogon Lost-Wax Bronze Aduno Koro Box – Ancestor Figures – 19th Century or Earlier
Dogon Lost-Wax Bronze Aduno Koro Box – Ancestor Figures – 19th Century or Earlier

Dogon Lost-Wax Bronze Aduno Koro Box – Ancestor Figures – 19th Century or Earlier

$1,750.00

A rare early African Dogon cast bronze Aduno Koro ritual box, 19th century or earlier, produced using the traditional lost-wax casting technique. This substantial and finely detailed box is surmounted by two ancestor figures on the lid, flanked by serpentine forms on either side. The lower section is supported by two modeled horses, while the sides are decorated with stylized crocodiles or lizards, creating a complex symbolic program integrating ancestral, animal, and cosmological imagery.

Objects of this type are associated with Dogon ritual and elite contexts, often serving as containers for sacred materials, protective substances, or ceremonial regalia. The term Aduno Koro refers to prestige and ritual objects linked to authority, lineage, and spiritual mediation. The use of bronze and the mastery of lost-wax casting underscore the status of such works within Dogon society.

The combination of human, reptilian, and equine imagery reflects Dogon cosmology, in which animals serve as intermediaries between spiritual and earthly realms. Ancestor figures reinforce lineage continuity, while serpents and reptiles symbolize regeneration, protection, and hidden knowledge.

The impressive weight and sculptural complexity of this box indicate production for a high-ranking individual or important ritual context rather than everyday use. Its strong patina and finely preserved details attest to age, authenticity, and long ceremonial life.

Dimensions

10” L × 7½” H × 3” W

Weight

5 lbs 13 oz

Condition

Good, stable condition with deep natural patina. Surface wear consistent with age and traditional use. No modern repairs observed.

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