Dogon Pendant Depicting Two Figures Covering Eyes

Two figures, hands over eyes. An inch and a half, and not much to look at. Look anyway.

The Dogon of Mali wore small metal figures and amulets for personal protection and as signs of belief, often passing them between generations. This iron pendant, from the 20th century, compresses two figures into one compact seated form: bent knees, arms folded close to the head, hands raised to cover the eyes. A suspension loop rises from the back.

Rust red and crusty green, with textured incisions along one side and a worn smoothness elsewhere. Small. Heavy, in every other way.