Dogon Iron figure - Dogon - Mali






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Description from the seller
The tradition of casting bronze figures is found among a number of peoples in west-central Africa, including the Dogon, Bozo, and various groups in Burkina Faso. This finely modeled miniature figure comes from Mali and was made by the Dogon. The sculpture depicts a bearded man kneeling as he prepares to shoot an arrow.
Bronze, brass, and iron figures are associated with Dogon creation myths. The blacksmith was one of the first primordial beings, known as a Nommo, created by Ama, one of the principal Dogon deities. The identification of the Nommo with the blacksmith creates a bond and an identity that grant the blacksmith special powers, including the ability to bring rain—so important in Dogon life. Figures such as this would be placed in the Binu sanctuary, a sacred shelter where the Dogon keep objects of magical significance. This sculpture reflects the artistry, power, and authority of the Dogon blacksmith, who also carved the well-known wooden sculptures used by the Dogon.
Provenance: Jean-Michel Huguenin, Paris
Seller's Story
The tradition of casting bronze figures is found among a number of peoples in west-central Africa, including the Dogon, Bozo, and various groups in Burkina Faso. This finely modeled miniature figure comes from Mali and was made by the Dogon. The sculpture depicts a bearded man kneeling as he prepares to shoot an arrow.
Bronze, brass, and iron figures are associated with Dogon creation myths. The blacksmith was one of the first primordial beings, known as a Nommo, created by Ama, one of the principal Dogon deities. The identification of the Nommo with the blacksmith creates a bond and an identity that grant the blacksmith special powers, including the ability to bring rain—so important in Dogon life. Figures such as this would be placed in the Binu sanctuary, a sacred shelter where the Dogon keep objects of magical significance. This sculpture reflects the artistry, power, and authority of the Dogon blacksmith, who also carved the well-known wooden sculptures used by the Dogon.
Provenance: Jean-Michel Huguenin, Paris
