Dogon Standing Female Figure

Nine inches of bronze, and she holds herself very well.

Small metal figures in Dogon country were made by the lost-wax process and kept for personal and ritual purposes. This slender standing woman, from Mali and the 20th century, has an elongated oval head with incised eyes, stacked rings at the neck, and bent arms framing her torso, hands meeting at the chest.

A prominent navel. A belted waist with a small apron. Long straight legs, ringed at the ankles. The dark brown patina is lightly incised over much of the body, and lifts to brassy highlights where it has worn.

Posture, perfected.