A thick snake-like body coils into a full circle,
inside of which the head of a man stands erect.
His features are typical of Dogon statuary, with
the dish-shaped beard and ovoid head. Thick
narrow bands in relief are on either side of the
body, with a raised "line" along the center
segmented by small circles. Incising cleverly
imitates a snake's skin. Though a suggestion of
arms is apparent, the narrow legs (or tail) twists
underneath the body to give a solid base for the
figure, while also giving the impression the man
is seated comfortably on his haunches. Snake
cults were numerous in Mali from very early
times, and this remarkable sculpture offers a
beautiful example of the veneration for both
serpent and man.
- (PF.5326)
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