Dogon Statue (Statue Dogon)

Dogon Statue (Statue Dogon)
Origin: Mali
Height: 75 cm (29 ½ inches)

History
This statue originates from the Dogon people of Mali, a group renowned for their complex cosmology, rich oral traditions, and sophisticated art. The piece dates from traditional Dogon sculptural practices, which have been passed down for centuries. It was part of important private collections, including those of Emil Storrer (Zurich), Josef Müller (Soleure, acquired January 12, 1958), and later the Barbier-Mueller Museum in Geneva, under inventory number 1004-3. Such statues were historically created for ritual purposes, serving as a bridge between the living and the spiritual world.

Cultural Significance
Dogon statues hold deep cultural and spiritual importance:

Ancestral Veneration: These figures often embody the spirits of ancestors, ensuring their presence in daily life and rituals.

Fertility and Prosperity: Many Dogon statues, especially those with raised arms, are linked to prayers for rain, fertility, and agricultural success.

Protection: They act as guardians for families or villages, warding off harmful spirits and misfortune.

Connection to the Divine: Through ritual use, the statues provide a channel for communication between humans and divine or cosmic forces.

Symbolism and Design

Raised Arms: The statue’s raised arms symbolize supplication or a connection between the earth and the heavens, often interpreted as a gesture of calling upon divine forces for blessings.

Stylized Human Form: The elongated, simplified body departs from naturalism, emphasizing a spiritual rather than physical representation.

Neck Ornaments and Body Markings: These carved details often indicate status, ritual significance, or a link to specific ancestors.

Material and Patina: Carved from wood and showing signs of age, handling, and ritual use, the surface patina speaks to its ceremonial role.

The overall design expresses the Dogon worldview, where art, cosmology, and spiritual life are deeply interwoven, creating an enduring visual symbol of their ancestral traditions.