Tellem statue — Dogon, Mali — African tribal art — Ref. 250

Description

This anthropomorphic statue is attributed to the Tellem, a people who preceded the Dogon on the Bandiagara cliffs in Mali. It is distinguished by its raised arms, an emblematic posture of Tellem figures, often interpreted as a gesture of communication with spirits or an invocation of protection.
The Tellem used these statues in ritual contexts, probably linked to funerary and propitiatory practices intended to ensure the protection of the deceased and maintain balance between the living and the ancestors. Placed in sanctuaries or caves, these sculptures testify to animist beliefs and to the central role of ancestors in social and spiritual life.
Carved from hard wood and patinated by time, this piece shows marked natural wear, with cracks and erosion of the wood, characteristic of old sculptures from the region. Its refined style, with a face of stylised features, a carved beard and a loincloth decorated with geometric motifs, reflects the aesthetic canons of known Tellem figures. The raised arms are finely carved, with distinctive bracelets at the wrists, reinforcing the authenticity and ritual importance of the piece.

Technical details

Type of piece

Statue

Category

Statues

Ethnic group

Dogon

Country

Mali

Materials

wood

Dimensions

H 156 × W 23 × D 27 cm

Weight

14,8 kg

Estimated dating

second half 20th c.

Laboratory test

Not tested

Reference

250