Large standing Raised-arms Nommo Figure

This unusually large figure has a large flattened ovoid shape head with a ridged top and squared jaw. The nose is elongated, eyes almond-shaped, lips open and three zigzag scarification marks decorate each cheek. The neck is an elongated column and both arms are long and raised up above the head in the gesture associated in Dogon culture with "invoking rain." The large breasts are pendant, the elongated body swelling at the belly, the navel protuberant and with Zigzag scarification marks around it, orientated directionally. The legs are relatively short and are flexed at the knee, the feet apart and rest on a small wood podium. The surface is light brown with dark brown encrustation in parts. Good natural patina.
Height: 63.5 inches (161.3 cm.)
DG003

Large Dogon sculptures of this type are in New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art (Ht: 210.5 cm.), the Rautenstrauch-Joest Museum in Cologne (Ht: 121 cm.), the Indiana University Art Museum at Bloomington (Ht: 115 cm.) and the Rietberg Museum, Zurich (Ht: 98 cm.). Generally classified as "Nommo" figures, bisexual cosmic beings that came to earth from the heavens.