Dogon Figure of a Drummer, Knees Bent

Slender figure with a calm face and arms locked around a drum-shaped belly.

This iron figure of a seated drummer with bent knees is Dogon, from Mali, West Africa, and dates to the 20th century. The Dogon of Mali are known for their sculpture and for a rich body of ceremony and myth, and small figures in iron and bronze are made in several forms. Narrow standing figure with a long head, arms bent in a circle across a large round shape, and short legs with a thick base below. Reddish brown surface with green patches and a flat rectangular footing. It is 1 inches wide, 1 deep and 4.5 high.

All elbows, no apologies, plenty of poise.