Dogon Seated Male Ancestor Figure Holding Staff

Bearded, wide-eyed, and balanced on one knee, like a poised small statesman.

This seated male ancestor figure with a staff from the Dogon peoples is Dogon, from Mali, West Africa, and dates to the 20th century. It is bronze. The Dogon live along the Bandiagara escarpment in Mali, and ancestors are an important part of their religious life and of the sculpture they make. Cast figure with an oval face, thin beard, and slim neck, kneeling with a rounded torso marked by spiral lines. A short staff rests at one side, and the red-brown surface glows with worn amber highlights. It is 1.5 inches wide, 2.25 deep and 3.75 high.

Solemn expression, remarkable posture, small but serious.