Dogon Hair Pin Depicting Seated Male Figure, Based

Worn with pride, apparently, and it shows in the details.

Dogon smiths of Mali produced hair pins and other ornaments alongside tools and ritual objects. This iron pin, made in the 20th century, is crowned by a seated male figure. The long shaft, marked by two thin rings, rises eight and three-quarter inches. At the top the small figure sits with bent knees and arms resting forward, his face long and narrow under a crested head, a small round navel shown on the torso.

Smooth, warm brown metal.

He sits at the top of the pin as though it were the best seat in the house.