Dogon Standing Female Figure, Based

A long iron figure with arms like tuning forks.

This standing female figure, based, is Dogon, from Mali, West Africa, and dates to the 20th century. It is iron. Tall, thin iron figures like this are generally made by forging, a different technique from the lost-wax cast bronzes. A narrow body rises from two flat, spreading legs, with arms that curve down in thin points. The head is small, with a crest at the top, and the surface is rough and brown with rust-colored flecks. It stands on a black base. It is 3 inches wide and 15.5 high.

Austere and unflinching.