Standing female figure · Mali, Dogon · ID: 3034349
Zemanek-Münster Würzburg, 10. September 1994, lot 37
Udo Petry, Hohnhorst, Germany
Description
wood, middle brown patina, carrying a bowl on the head, notched ornaments backside, dam., missing parts (right foot tip, bowl), cracks, wooden socle;
the bulging abdomen and the protective gesture of the hands refer to the depiction of a pregnant woman. According to G. Dieterlen figures with such a posture were used on altars intended for rituals dedicated to the souls of women who have died during pregnancy or childbirth. Among the Dogon, such a woman is never buried in the cemetery of her lineage, nor is a funerary pot ever placed in the family sanctuary for her. Her soul is banished and left to wander. However, a cult is established for her by a powerful healer, who is responsible for the altar mentioned above.
The object Standing female figure with the object ID 3034349 was last part of the auction 72nd tribal art auction at March 9, 2013 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 208 achieved a sales price of EUR 3,600.
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Comparing literature
Roy, Christopher D., Die Dogon von Mali und Ober-Volta, München 1983, p. 14 f.