Malian Standing Female Holding Arm and Belly

Teal-green figure bent at the waist, arms crossed and seemingly lost in thought.

This standing female figure holding her arm and belly is Djenne, from Mali, West Africa, and dates to the 20th century. It is bronze. Djenne bronzes from Mali often show figures in expressive poses, with hands placed on the body, which scholars read in different ways. Small figure with a crested head, a collar line at the neck and arms folded across the torso. Instead of standing, the lower body bends sharply into a flat, curved tail-like extension. The surface is turquoise green with rough patina. It is 1 inches wide, 0.75 deep and 2.25 high.

Bent out of shape, but with considerable poise.