Dogon Crouching Female Figure with Climbing Serpent

Hunched, hen-like figure with a comb-topped head and rusty skin.

This crouching female figure with a climbing serpent, in iron is Dogon, from Mali, West Africa, and dates to the 20th century. Dogon blacksmiths work iron by forging rather than casting, and the smith's craft is traditionally regarded as skilled and carries social importance. Compact form with a rounded body, short wings pressed against its sides and a raised pointed crest at the top. Surface is rough, speckled and rust-orange, with darker patches. It sits on a narrow base and faces forward. It is 1.5 inches wide, 1.5 deep and 4 high.

A bird that has made its peace with sitting still.