Anthropomorphic statue, woman with child on her back — Dogon, Mali — African tribal art — Ref. xx3

Description

This imposing wooden statue represents a Dogon female figure seated on a pedestal supported by miniature figures, most likely young girls. The Dogon, living in the Bandiagara cliffs region of Mali, are renowned for their sculptural art, which links the world of the living to the ancestors and protective spirits. Here, the woman’s posture, with arms extended downward and probably once holding an object connected to her head, suggests a link between the earthly and spiritual worlds. The small figures serving as supports for the structure may symbolise a lineage or female descendants, a frequent theme among the Dogon, for whom fertility and family continuity occupy a central place. The woman also appears to carry a smaller figure on her back, which may represent a child or a girl, emphasising the importance of motherhood and the transmission of values in Dogon culture. The natural patina of the wood, the raw surface and the visible cracks indicate probable age, with an estimated dating between the 18th and 19th centuries. The complex structure, with multiple figures and details such as pointed breasts and a crest-like stylised head, suggests ritual use, potentially during fertility ceremonies or the veneration of female ancestors. The rarity of such a piece, with its symbolic elements and intact state of preservation despite traces of wear, places it among objects of great value.

Technical details

Availability

Unavailable

Type of piece

Statue

Category

Statues

Ethnic group

Dogon

Country

Mali

Materials

wood

Dimensions

H 68 × W 16 × D 16 cm

Weight

1,7 kg

Estimated dating

second half 20th c.

Laboratory test

Not tested

Reference

xx3