Art Institute of Chicago
Female Figure
Tellem or Dogon
- Date
- 11th-19th century
- Medium
- Wood and sacrificial material
- Culture
- Mali
- Department
- Arts of Africa
- Institution
- Art Institute of Chicago
The raised arms, pared-down form, and crusty patina of this female figure are hallmarks of the Tellem sculptural style from Mali. Her pose has been interpreted as a plea for rain. Placed on an altar, the figure would have received offerings of sacrifices, resulting in the thick coating that imbued it with a vital energy. The Tellem, who occupied the arid region of the Bandiagara Escarpment from the 11th to the 16th century, are believed to be predecessors of contemporary Dogon people.
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- Object type
- AAT300301253
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