Intro: 

This stunning piece is composed of heavy, thick brass and made by the Dogon people. For those who are not familiar with the Dogon people, I highly encourage you to take some time and do a bit of research. Later on in this listing I will provide a brief summary of the story of the Dogon people, yet - a few sentences will not be able to capture the essence of the Dogon. They are a fascinating group worthy of your time - this piece aside (: 

 The Piece Itself: 

A formed by hand canoe depicts figures relating to that of the story of Dogon genesis as commonly depicted in African tribal art. It masterfully gives life to the story of the mythical Dogon ark. The ark (with Nommo at the helm, sent by the god of creation Amma) seeks to populate and organize a waiting earth. The uniquely formed figures seated in the boat are the original Dogon ancestors - these ancestors are depicted with great frequency on other sculpted works of African Dogon art. The figures hold with them on their boat of aged brass a cow/buffalo so that they may have the makings of sustenance in their new land. 

The Dogon are a people revered and highly respected for their cosmogony, their esotericism, myths, and living legends. The Dogon are an ethnic group indigenous to the central plateau region of Mali, in West Africa, south of the Niger bend, near the city of Bandiagara, and in Burkina Faso. The population numbers between 400,000 and 800,000. They speak the Dogon languages, which are considered to constitute an independent branch of the Niger–Congo language family, meaning that they are not closely related to any other languages.

The Dogon are best known for their religious traditions, their mask dances, wooden sculpture, and their architecture. Since the twentieth century, there have been significant changes in the social organisation, material culture and beliefs of the Dogon, in part because Dogon country is one of Mali's major tourist attractions.

Overall, this is a piece - truly - of an increasingly dwindling tribal art. Purchased in the early ‘70s from the San Francisco Folk Art Museum and Gallery by that of my father. Truth be told, he LOVED this piece (it sat on his writing desk for many years). It was one of those pieces that we’d never imagined we would part with, however - at 80 years old, my father doesn’t sit at his writing desk anymore. Though he offered to pass this piece on down to myself, I have to say - I won’t be able to give the piece the true time in the light that it deserves. This is a piece that deserves to be seen, deserves to be talked about. My hope is that wherever this piece goes - it will not simply be purchased and “flipped.” Though my father acquired for a hefty sum even back in the ‘70s, we aren’t looking to make a profit in deciding to list this piece here - we are looking for this piece’s new, proper home. 

If you have any further questions, or would like to see any additional photos, please do not hesitate to reach out in the form of an email. I will get back to you promptly. Will ship overseas, but not responsible for any customs fees that might be incurred. 

Weight: About 141 GRAMS 

Dimensions: 4” long by 1” wide by 1.75” tall 

NOTE: This piece has not been polished since its acquisition in the ‘70s. Though to do so would be your choice, I believe doing so would destroy an element of this piece’s originality - as well as that beautiful “aged” aesthetic that was part of this piece’s design.