Dogon Pendant Depicting Crouched Man

Hands on his knees. Crouched low. A man in the plainest possible attitude, in the smallest possible bronze.

Dogon artisans in Mali cast this pendant in the 20th century. Such castings were worn on the body or kept close, carrying protective or commemorative meaning. Two inches tall. The figure is a rounded head with a jutting chin and long arms curving to the knees. The surface is dark, almost black bronze, its high points worn to a soft sheen. A small black mount.

Economy of means. The Dogon had it down to a science.