The Master of Ogel | A Standing Female
In this object, we see how Dogon artists altered the human body by elongating it and accenting features. This particular female statue has a unique attribute: a possible artist's signature. The neat stack of horizontal bands that are made by her chin, lips, and nostrils suggest that she was created by an artist dubbed the "Master of Ogel". The artist gets their name from the village where examples of their art were found in 1935. The object may have served as a "dege del nda" or "sculpture of the terrace". A Hogan would have stored her within his home, only bringing her out and dressing her for the funerals of wealthy and powerful men.
Dogon/Mali Culture
ca. 15th/19th Century
Wood, Carving
Gift of Martha and Robert Fogelman
2008.2.64