Dogon Standing Male Figure

Copper glints through a crust of green, mostly where the figure is most rounded.

This standing male figure is Dogon, from Mali, West Africa, and dates to the 20th century. It is iron. Small cast figures were made by Dogon smiths for shrines and personal use, though the specific meaning of each one is seldom known. The figure stands rigidly upright on long legs, one hand raised to the chest, the other across the body. A swelling navel, a beaded waistband and broad hips give the torso its shape. The long face has a crested head and narrow nose. It is 1 inch wide and 5.25 high.

Slender and certain, and in no mood to bend.