Dogon Forged Iron Standing Figure, Based

Stick legs. A narrow body. A head hardly bigger than a thumb. And somehow, great presence.

Dogon smiths of Mali forged this standing figure in iron in the 20th century. Dogon blacksmiths were respected specialists, and their iron figures, often drawn out into long, spare forms, were placed on altars and shrines. One arm reaches out to the side and bends upward at the elbow, while the other hangs along the body. The surface is crusty and rust-brown, the rough texture of the forging fully visible.

Nine inches on a small black base. More gesture than figure. The gesture is enough.