Accession Number
2016/1.260

Title
Double Figure

Artist(s)
Dogon

Artist Nationality
Dogon (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
20th century

Medium & Support
wood

Dimensions
27 in x 3 ½ in x 4 in (68.58 cm x 8.89 cm x 10.16 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Michael and Phyllis Courlander

Subject matter

Dogon sculptures were often created for religious purposes, housed in shrines and placed upon altars to promote the fertility of both land and people. Dogon figure style diverges between tall and slim bodies with oval-shaped heads, and short, heavier figures. The concept of ancestral lineage is crucial in Dogon culture; sculptures are created by blacksmiths - revered in Dogon culture - and are used for ceremonial and initiation purposes.

 

Sources:

Metropolitan Museum of Art. Museum label for Male Figure With Raised Arms. New York, NY.

Helene Leloup. "Dogon Figure Styles." African Arts 22, no. 1 (1988).

Roslyn Adele Walker. The Arts of Africa at the Dallas Museum of Art. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2009.

 

Physical Description
Two figures, one on the other's shoulders, carved from a single piece of wood. 

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
ancestors
communication (function)
deities
shrines (structures)