Offering Box

Box of spherical offerings seated on a crocodile. The body of the box has a smooth part and a geometric decoration. Three other crocodiles stand out on the central line of its periphery. The crocodile is one of the primordial animals of the dogon cosmogony and a servant of the Nomos. On the top appears a man sitting on a turtle with a snake in his right hand. Both turtle and snake are primary animals. The turtle is for the Dogon the mediator between heaven and earth and divine messenger. The snake is one of the primordial animals of most ethnic groups. It is a bond of union between earth and heaven. Divinated in many cultures it is a symbol of wisdom, prudence and uprightness but at the same time it arouses fear and respect. Plus the god. Lebe visit to fire Every night in the shape of a snake. Old patina.