Dogon horseman — Dogon, Mali — African tribal art — Ref. 162

Description

This sculpture represents a Dogon horseman mounted on a horse, an emblematic figure of Dogon art from Mali. The rider adopts a singular posture, with one hand placed on the head and the other probably intended to hold a spear or ritual staff. In Dogon culture, horsemen embody power, authority and the link between the ancestors and the world of the living. They also symbolise the transmission of knowledge and spiritual protection.
Carved from dense wood patinated by time, this 79 cm high sculpture shows natural marks of wear, attesting to its age and its potential use in commemorative or initiatory rituals. The horse, rare in the Dogon region, is here a metaphor of spiritual elevation and prestige, reflecting Sahelian and Mande influences.
This piece, whose original condition suggests the loss of a symbolic attribute, weapon, sceptre or other element, remains a remarkable work through its evocative power and refined aesthetic, faithful to ancestral Dogon art. A collector’s piece that testifies to a rich sculptural tradition and a deep spiritual heritage.

Technical details

Availability

Unavailable

Type of piece

Statue

Category

Statues

Ethnic group

Dogon

Country

Mali

Materials

wood

Dimensions

H 79 × W 25 × D 25 cm

Weight

4,7 kg

Estimated dating

second half 20th c.

Laboratory test

Not tested

Reference

162