Female Ancestor Figure

Accession Number
1971/2.24

Title
Female Ancestor Figure

Artist(s)
Dogon

Artist Nationality
Dogon (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
1900-1971

Medium & Support
carved wood, patination, blood, millet, egg shell

Dimensions
25 15/16 in x 4 3/16 in x 4 1/16 in (65.8 cm x 10.7 cm x 10.4 cm)

Credit Line
Museum Purchase assisted by the Friends of the Museum of Art

Label copy
Little is known about this particular object. It may have been a shrine figure of a family ancestor or a representation of the mother of the Dogon people. Unlike masks, Dogon statuary is kept on family altars or in a special shrine and never paraded publicly. It was traditionally made by the village blacksmith who claimed direct descent from the legendary primordial blacksmith. In ancient times, this mythic figure brought animals, grain, and technology to earth.

Primary Object Classification
Sculpture

Primary Object Type
figure

Collection Area
African

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
ancestor figures
ancestors
females
figurines
standing
statues
women (female humans)

& Author Notes

Web Use Permitted