**First Time At Auction**
West Africa, Mali, Dogon culture, ca. mid-20th century CE. This is a fabulous brass sculptural piece cast via the lost wax method of two standing figures upon an integral base. The stylized couple stands on slender legs, each with elongated and flattened torsos and lengthy arms. The woman stands in front, a bowl held at her waist, and her body is nude, with a prominent belly button, angular breasts, and a zigzag scarification or tattoo vertically down her body. Her head is characteristically elongated and helmet like, with a crested coiffure. The man stands behind with a comforting hand resting on her shoulder, and a cane in one hand. He too is nude, save for a waist belt and necklace, and a short goatee protrudes from his narrow chin. Dogon figures are used in religious ceremonies and sacrifice, serving as magical items that demonstrated the great skill of the blacksmith, a figure that wielded prestige in Dogon society. Size: 6" L x 2.75" W x 9" H (15.2 cm x 7 cm x 22.9 cm)
Provenance: ex-Stein collection, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, USA, acquired prior to 2010
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#169080
Condition
Surface pitting and abrasions, older chips and abrasions to man and woman figure's torsos. Tip of base is slightly bent and uneven, bust still stable enough to support figures. Dark patina and light mineral deposits.