Dogon Kneeling Female Figure

She kneels, hands lifted to her chest, and waits.

Dogon casters of Mali, West Africa, made this kneeling female figure in bronze in the early 20th century. Dogon bronzes, usually cast by the lost-wax method, are often associated with ritual use, and kneeling, gesturing figures are a familiar type. Both hands rise to the chest, elbows drawn in. The head tilts back under a long pointed coiffure, and the knees bend outward above small feet. The bronze has darkened to deep brown with greenish tones, smooth in places and worn at the high points.

About eight inches tall. Quiet, and entirely present.