Dogon Seated Male Ancestor Figure with Internal Sacred Stone

Narrow, stiff figure wearing a pointed cap and a coat of green crust.

This seated male ancestor figure with internal sacred stone is Dogon, from Mali, West Africa, and dates to the 20th century. It is bronze. Bronze figures of this scale are typically made by lost-wax casting, a technique practiced by specialist metalworkers in Mali for many generations. Tall and slender form with a pointed crown, long face and a thin chin projection. The body is covered in incised vertical lines and patchy turquoise-green and brown encrustation. It sits compact on small folded legs. It is 1 inches wide, 2 deep and 4 high.

Dressed in verdigris and standing very much at attention.