VINTAGE FORGED IRON STANDING MALE STAR GAZER DOGON MALI WEST AFRICA 20TH C. for Sale

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VINTAGE FORGED IRON STANDING MALE STAR GAZER DOGON MALI WEST AFRICA 20TH C. For Sale

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VINTAGE FORGED IRON STANDING MALE STAR GAZER DOGON MALI WEST AFRICA 20TH C. :
$4895.00

GJPaw sales is pleased to offer a uniquelydistinctive vintage forged iron Standing Male Star Gazer Figure from theDogon people, Mali, West Africa. The Dogon are an ethnic group located mainly in the administrative districts of Bandiagara and Douentza in Mali, West Africa. The precise origin of the Dogon, like those of many other ancient cultures, is undetermined. Their civilization emerged, in much the same manner as ancient Sumer, both sharing tales of their creation by gods who came from the sky in space ships, who allegedly will return one day. They have lived in Mali since the15th century, wedged between two seemingly infinite bodies, the Sahara belowand the universe above. According toDogon legend, they were visited thousands of years ago by gods known as Nommo,who came from a star system hidden behind Sirius, the “Dog Star,” the brighteststar in the night sky. The Dogons\' view of the cosmos is borne out in theirelongated sculptural figures, which represents a vertical axis connecting thesky to the earth.Their sculpture, especially the figurative iron,bronze, and brass casting by blacksmiths, constitutesone of the most remarkable artistic traditions of West Africa, reaching back tothe period of the great Empire of Mali as early as the 12th century, with arich variety of sculptural styles and subject matter. In many WestAfrican traditional communities, blacksmiths enjoyed a privileged position, asthey master the elements earth, air and fire. The artof the Dogon deals with the complex ensemble of myth and its regulation of the life of theindividual. Many people have compared these \"Star Gazers\" to sculpture created byAlberto Giacometti, the modern master; except unlike Giacometti’s pieces, StarGazers look up not forward, their gaze turned to the carpet of stars in thenight sky. This absolutely stunning piece measures 4.5 inches in width by 3.5 inches in depth by 36 inches in height (11.4 cm by 8.89 cm by 91.4 cm). Thesculpture is in very good condition and shows wear consistent with a dating tothe late 20th century, including oxidization, which is a normal part of theaging process. Guaranteed authentic, it would make a superb collector’s piecefor anyone interested in Dogon culture or African art in general.GJPaw sales has been in theArt business for over 25years and is now expanding its operation to . Our goal is to bringthe same experience and excitement of collecting that we have been deliveringin-person to collectors across the globe at Primitive in Chicago.Every object we sell online has been carefully hand-selected with specialattention to detail, quality, and significance. We ship worldwide. Add GJPawto Sellers you Follow and please take a moment to look at our othersale items.