Malian Kneeling Votive Figure, Based

Looped, ring-like body topped with a thumb-shaped head and splayed little feet.

This kneeling votive figure on a base is Djenne, from Mali, West Africa, and dates to the 20th century. It is bronze. Djenne metalworkers in Mali are generally associated with the lost-wax casting of small bronzes, which are often shaped with careful attention to posture and gesture. Abstract figure with a ribbed, cylindrical head above an open oval loop of body. Splayed limbs spread at the base like a star, set on a grey rectangular mount with felt below. The surface is pale green and dark brown. It is 0.75 inches wide, 0.5 deep and 1.1 high.

A shape that dares a guess, and gives no hints.