Figure of a Kneeling Woman

ca. 1500

Not on view

Both Dogon oral traditions and archaeological evidence attest to the settlement of Mali's elevated Bandiagara Escarpment by Dogon migrants during the early sixteenth century. This unusual work may date to that period given that the arid climatic conditions were conducive to preservation of wood sculpture. Stylistically, its oblong face, protruding eyes and mouth, straight nose and raised cicatrices at the temples, relate this sculpture to a group of works identified by specialists as "Soninke" or "Djennenke." These terms describe works produced by a network of related cultures that developed in the Inland Niger Delta region between the 12th and 17th century.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Provenance

References

Title: Figure of a Kneeling Woman
Artist: Soninke blacksmith
Date: ca. 1500
Geography: Mali
Culture: Soninke peoples
Medium: Wood
Dimensions: H. 13 7/8 × W. 2 3/4 × D. 3 3/4 in. (35.2 × 7 × 9.5 cm)
Classification: Wood-Sculpture
Credit Line: Anonymous Gift, 2015
Object Number: 2015.485.1
Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing

More Artwork

By Soninke blacksmith

In the same medium

From the same time and place

Male figure, Soninke blacksmith, Wood, oil, Soninke peoples (?) — Male figure
Soninke blacksmith
13th century

Equestrian, Dogon blacksmith, Wood, metal, Dogon peoples — Equestrian
Dogon blacksmith
16th–18th century

Priest with raised arms, Dogon blacksmith, Wood, applied organic materials, Dogon peoples — Priest with raised arms
Dogon blacksmith
14th–17th century

Staff of office, Soninke blacksmith, Brass, iron, silver alloy, Soninke peoples — Staff of office
Soninke blacksmith
19th–early 20th century

Double plank figure with raised arms, Tellem or Dogon blacksmith, Wood, applied organic materials, Dogon or Tellem peoples (?) — Double plank figure with raised arms
Tellem or Dogon blacksmith
16th–19th century

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