Malian Pendant Depicting Seated Man

A hunched, green-crusted figure squatting with hands on its knees and a crest on its head.

This pendant depicting a seated man is from Mali, West Africa, and dates to the 20th century. It is bronze. Small cast bronze pendants and figures in West Africa are generally made by lost-wax casting, in which a wax model is replaced by molten metal. A small seated figure with a pointed head, wide eyes and a thin neck. Its arms rest on bent knees, and the lower legs are heavy and chunky. The surface is mottled with turquoise-green crust over dark brown. It is 0.5 inches wide, 1.5 deep and 2.25 high.

Patient, patinated, and a little bit mischievous.