Dogon Standing Maternity Figure

Long as a ruler and golden as toast. A slender bronze woman with her hands at her waist.

Dogon metalworkers of Mali, West Africa, cast this standing maternity figure in bronze in the 20th century. Elongated figures like this are commonly associated with fertility and ancestor themes. She is very slim, with a crested head, small breasts and a hollow along the abdomen where her hands rest. Her legs are long, narrow and straight, ending in thin feet. The metal is warm gold-brown, polished to an even glow, with small dark spots.

About 7 inches tall. A lean line of light for a bookshelf.