Dogon Tellem altar statue — Dogon, Mali — African tribal art — Ref. 182

Description

Originating from Mali, this statue belongs to the artistic world of the Dogon and bears the influence of the Tellem people, predecessors of the Dogon on the Bandiagara cliffs. These sculptures served as intermediaries between the living and the ancestors, playing a central role in rituals linked to protection, fertility and prayers for rain. Their presence on ritual altars attests to their importance in the animist practices and ancestral traditions of the region.

The posture with raised arms, typical of Tellem representations, expresses an invocation to spiritual forces or an appeal for the blessings of the ancestors. This gesture, frequently associated with sculpted figures from this tradition, reflects a ritual gesture of supplication or transmission of cosmic energy. The whole piece reveals a minimalist and expressive style, characteristic of Dogon art, with an elongated face and symbolic scarifications.

Made from wood, this statue shows a natural patina and traces of erosion, witnesses to its age and prolonged cult use. Its state of preservation shows alteration of the wood due to climatic conditions and exposure to the elements, reinforcing its authenticity and ethnographic value. The finesse of the engraved details and the tapered appearance of the sculpture underline the mastery of Dogon artisans in representing ritual figures.

Technical details

Type of piece

Statue

Category

Statues

Ethnic group

Dogon

Country

Mali

Materials

wood

Dimensions

H 117 × W 11 × D 12 cm

Weight

2,8 kg

Estimated dating

second half 20th c.

Laboratory test

Not tested

Reference

182