A fine fragmentary bust of an ancient female anthropomorphic statue, characteristic of the highly stylized "cubist" Dogon arts, combining taut curved lines and geometric solutions. This sculpture, with its beautiful gouged and oxidized wood, bears witness to its age, and despite ancient breakage, it is still possible to make out that the female figure is represented here wearing a labret worn on her lower lip (an ornament carved in hard stone or quartz by the Dogon), as well as a long braided plait falling straight down at the back of her head. The eyes and navel are indicated and marked by wrought-iron nails. Dogon, Mali 19th century (or earlier) Wood, wrought-iron nails, with visible breaks, very fine oxidation of the wood and very old patina of use. H. 52 cm Provenance : Maxime du Chayla Collection, Paris Private collection, Brussels Jean-Claude and Christine L'Herbette Collection, Paris Publications and exhibitions: Calmels Cohen, Paris, June 8, 2005, no. 343 Artcurial, Paris, December 6, 2016, no. 32 Giquello, Arts d'Afrique, June 19, 2023, n° 21