An ancient anthropomorphic cult sculpture representing a woman in a classic position, kneeling with her hands on her thighs. This sculpture joins and enriches an important corpus (many other representations) that is particularly eloquent of the great Dogon arts; this particular position, a "great classic" of Dogon statuary, dates back to the very ancient arts of the Tellem and Djennenke, who also represented their "hermaphroditic deity" in this position. This beautifully modeled sculpture, from the discerning dealer Philippe Guimiot, certainly belongs to one of the two classic Dogon styles known as Tintam or N'Duleri. Dogon, Bandiagara Escarpment, Mali 19th century (or earlier) Wood, wear and beautiful oxidation from age, visible cracks from age at the base, old and beautiful sacrificial patina from use. H.: 31 cm Provenance: Philippe Guimiot, Brussels Belgian private collection, acquired from the latter