Statue

Statue of the Dogon people of Mali, dating to the 20th century. The sculpture depicts an anthropomorphic figure missing its legs and right arm. A projection on the lower rear section of the work suggests that it originally represented a mounted rider (Bassani E., ed., Arte dell’Africa Nera, Florence–Milan, Skira, 2000). The head is characterized by a crest-like hairstyle and a face divided by the line of the nose into two triangular fields; a pointed beard extends below the chin. The torso is marked by a pronounced projecting abdomen, while the slender arms descend close to the body before bending slightly forward. The work is part of the Bassani Collection and is housed at the MUDEC – Museum of Cultures in Milan (inv. AFR 00011 2513A).