DOGON, Mali. - Lot 110

DOGON, Mali. Male statue presenting a figure standing on a cubic pedestal, knees slightly bent, navel marked in relief, torso inflated and arms raised to the sky as a sign of appeal to the forces of nature. Hardwood, remnants of brown patina, slight localized erosion, marks of time. Dimensions: 37 × 6.5 cm In Dogon statuary, the posture of arms raised to the sky is recurrent and has a strong symbolic value. It is interpreted as a gesture of supplication to Amma, the creator god, or as an appeal for rain and fertility, essential to the community's equilibrium. This type of figure generally embodies a mediating ancestor, the guarantor of communication between the earthly world and cosmic forces. The combination of the swollen torso, prominent navel and bent legs reinforces the idea of vital energy and continuity of lineage, making the sculpture part of the Dogon tradition where the ancestor remains an active, protective presence.