Specifications Item Type: Carved Wooden Ancestor/Supplicant Figure Ethnic Group: Dogon Country of Origin: Mali Material: Carved Hardwood with heavy ritual encrustation Height: 54 cm Notable Features: Upraised arms gesture (prayer for rain), deeply encrusted ritual patina, standing on a carved cylindrical base.
About this piece Bring profound West African history into your space with this monumental, 54 cm tall Dogon Raised-Arm Figure. Carved by the Dogon people of the Bandiagara Escarpment in Mali, this commanding wooden sculpture is a phenomenal example of traditional Sahelian artistry and spiritual expression. The statue features the iconic Dogon posture of upraised arms—a powerful, timeless gesture representing a prayer to the creator god Amma for rain, fertility, and the restoration of cosmic order. Standing on a geometrically carved, cylindrical base, the abstract, elongated form of the figure captures the essence of a Nommo (a primordial ancestral spirit). What makes this piece truly exceptional is its heavily encrusted, earthy patina. This thick surface texture is the result of years of traditional ritual libations, indicating it was actively used in a communal shrine or ancestral altar. With its impressive scale and rugged, historical beauty, this statue is a magnificent centerpiece for serious collectors of tribal art, galleries, or anyone looking to add a deeply meaningful artifact to their home.
