Malian Kneeling Female with Crossed Hands

Hands raised at the sides in a pose somewhere between welcome and shrug.

This kneeling female figure with crossed hands is Djenne, from Mali, West Africa, and dates to the 20th century. It is bronze. Kneeling poses with the arms crossed or folded are a recurring gesture in West African figurative sculpture, and they are generally read as expressing respect or humility. Slim standing figure with a narrow oval face, small raised hands and rounded chest. A cinched waist leads to a flared band above short bent legs. Surface is mottled sea-green with a crusty, uneven patina. It is 0.5 inches wide, 0.5 deep and 2.25 high.

Slight of build, generous of gesture.