Figure debout

Description

light wood, small remains of brown patina, cylindrical corpus with flat trunk and free carved arms, narrow head with overlong pointed chin and prominent drilled holes, massive rectangular ears, inscribed “Dogon”, stongly marked by weathering and insect caused damage, minor missing parts, cracks, abrasion of paint, base;
the actual function of the figure can not be determined anymore. It might belong to the type of the “dege dal nda”, the so-called “sculptures of the terrace”. They are taken out of storage for the funerals of rich men and dressed and displayed on the rooftop terrace of the deceased. Present figure might as well belong to the type of the “vageu” figures which were placed on family altars.

Publications

AHDRC: 0142097