A very ancient sculpture, representing the ancient hermaphrodite divinity whose tradition has been perpetuated down the ages from the Djennenké period to the Dogon, and here in a kneeling position, sporting a braided headdress characteristic of the classical Dogon style known as N'duleri. Note the rare, and necessarily significant, treatment of his feet, carved and sculpted in solid colors as hands supporting the seat. Dogon, Mali 18th century (or earlier) Heavy wood, old erosion and wear, one arm visibly missing (old breakage), very fine old sooty and sacrificial patina. H. 40 cm Provenance : Fred Jahn, Munich Collection Hilde and Dieter Scharf, Hamburg, acquired 1993 Publications and exhibitions: Roy, The Dogon of Mali and Upper Volta, 1983, p. 17, no. 1 Skulptur und Keramik aus Westafrika, Munich, Galerie Fred Jahn, March 25 - April 30, 1993