Dogon Iron Kneeling Figure

A small figure kneels with a long, straight back and a coil of beads at the throat.

This kneeling figure is Dogon, from Mali, West Africa, and dates to the 20th century. It is iron. Kneeling figures are a recurring form in Dogon art, generally read as gestures of respect or supplication. Her face is narrow, with closed eyes and a ridged cap of hair. Rings circle the neck and waist, and the arms reach forward to rest on thick, bent knees. The surface is smooth and dark with a faint sheen. It is 2.5 inches wide and 4 high.

Quiet, composed, and ready to wait.