Dogon Hair Pin Deicing Kneeling Male Figure with Raised Arms, Based

Arms raised, joined above the head, and the whole figure becomes a loop.

Dogon casters in Mali often topped hair pins with human and animal figures, and this cast bronze example, made in the 20th century, is crowned with a kneeling man. His long arms form a tall, pointed loop that frames the face. The face is narrow, with a strong nose and small raised eyes, and a ring encircles the shaft just below the body. The long pin then descends to a fine point.

The patina is dark and glossy, warming to brown where handled. Eight and a half inches tall.

A hairpin with a gesture.