Walking stick - Wood - Dogon Maternity

Among the Dogons, one finds a few rare monumental statues of maternity, but more often smaller ones, kept in the dimness of the sanctuaries or on family altars.

Carved by blacksmiths in a wood that must be 'pure and powerful' (the masks being carved by non-specialists), these statuettes always refer to myths and are the subject of offerings and libations that sometimes give them a thick crusty patina.