Dogon Iron Seated Figure

Hands over the face. The Dogon have a gesture for it, and it recurs.

Gestures such as hands raised to the head turn up throughout Dogon sculpture, and small metal figures were made for personal and ritual use. This one, recorded as iron and dating to the 20th century, is three inches tall and sits cross-legged, long arms bent so that the hands cover the sides of the face.

A narrow torso. A triangular chest plate, a pronounced navel, incised lines on the arms and legs. Warm orange tones show on the face, with green-gray encrustation over much of the body.

Whatever he is feeling, he is keeping it private.