Fabulous, Vintage African Cast Bronze Dogon Mali Figure/Giacometti Look 12" for Sale

Fabulous, Vintage African Cast Bronze Dogon Mali Figure/Giacometti Look 12" For Sale

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Fabulous, Vintage African Cast Bronze Dogon Mali Figure/Giacometti Look 12":
$115.00

Rare, old, African cast bronze elongated male figure, 12" H, from the Dogon in Mali. This fabulous, unique work reminds me of a Giaometti sculpture, and articles on the European sculptor say that he was influenced by African works when he first saw them around 1926. This piece has a simple but wonderful feel, with thin legs in a sitting position, thin arms reaching to his legs, a tall cylindrical body, a great abstract face, beard, and a necklace. One source said that the indentations in the body were meant to be “spots” of a leopard, showing strength, however an exhibit of Dogon metalwork showed the Dogon ladders with the art. I have found that those “indentations”, “notches" or “steps” on the ladders are also seen in other Dogon art, including designs in the indigos I sell.
Bronze casting has a long history in Africa, going back to the 14th or 15th century, (although some sources say maybe as early on the 12th century) and culminating in the beautiful bronze wall plaques in Benin that record the images of the warriors that fought in the service of the Oba, King of Benin. I was told by an African friend that the Dogon bronze figures in the wonderful collection I was able to buy, had various meanings for the individuals who owned them, but pieces such as this one would represent ancestors and spirits to whom people address their needs and desires. They may be placed on personal or village shrines and offerings made to them to propitiate the ancestors in invoking protection, good luck and prosperity or fertility.One source suggested that miniature granery ladders created by the Dogon are made to help the spiritis of the ancestors climb up onto the roof of the house where the ancestor’s alter is generally located.Bronzes are made in the lost wax process, where a mold is put over a wax original, the wax burned out, and the void replaced with molten metal. Each piece is unique. This piece is in excellent condition, with a nice brown patina.
*I’m selling this on belalf of my mother, who is an African art collector.
_gsrx_vers_851 (GS 7.0.17b2 (851))