Dogon Bronze Maternity Figure

Mother and child carry wide meaning across West Africa: fertility, continuity, the well-being of the family line.

Here is the Dogon version, from Mali, early 20th century. She sits upright, seven inches tall, with long straight legs, her face framed by a crested coiffure and rounded ears, small pointed breasts on a slender torso. One arm cradles the infant across her lap, its head extending outward to one side.

The cast surface is mottled dark green and black, with traces of reddish earth in the recesses.

Very little here is decoration. Very much is intent.