Dogon Objects
Dogon equestrian figure, Mali. This figure has several repairs. The most notable is that a new face was carved from a different piece of wood and reattached. When a person dies, the portraits of the deceased are sometimes destroyed so that their spirit would not remain behind. This portrait was destroyed with many fractures to the base and other areas and appears to have been recovered and repaired.
A Dogon “toguna” men’s meeting house post. Mali. Made of carved wood from a single tree limb or trunk. 185cm x 50 cm (73 inches x 20 in.) The toguna is an open wall structure made of carved or plain posts and wood cross beams. The posts could also be made of stacked stone, especially in the more rocky areas of the escarpment. The roof is topped with multiple layers of millet stocks. It is a place where the elder’s and men discuss the issues of the village out of the heat of the sun. This toguna post has a male and female ancestor carved on the front side and a large snake carved on the back side. Ex Property of Lynn University sold to benefit the Library Renovation Fund. Gift of Arthur & Yola Steinman/1998
A toguna in the village of Koporo-pen, Mali with similarly carved posts.
This is a well worn Dogon ladder made from a single tree limb. These ladders were used to navigate the cliff dwellings and cliff burial sites, as well as for roof access to home structures and granaries. Mali
Dogon ladders in the village of Yawa, Mali, 2002. Yawa is located on the edge of the Bandiagara Escarpment overlooking the Dogon plains.
Dogon knife. Collected in Koporokenie Pe, Mali. 2003. Wood, stamped steel.
A small wooden Dogon ancestral figure, Koporopen, Mali
A Dogon (?) elongated figure standing on a pedestal base, wood with a rich aged patina, partially missing the right arm. 14 inches H. Arte Primitivo, NYC. From the Estate of Jack Faxon, Birmingham, MI. & NYC. Michigan State, Senator, 1971 - 1985. Creator of the Michigan Council for the Arts.
Dogon miniature figure, Mali. Wood. H 9.5cm. EX Hammer Auktionen, Basel, Switzerland. EX Jean-Baptiste Sevette, Geneva, Switzerland. EX Christian Zingg (1956-2023), La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland (2021).
A fabulous little knife that I received from a Dogon elder when I lived in Koporokenie Pe in the Dogon plains for two years. Steel and bronze/brass, Mali.
Dogon wooden whistle, Koporopen, Mali
Proto Dogon/ Dogon terracotta pipe bowl (incomplete), Pomorodoudiou, Mali
A Dogon side horn instrument made from an antelope horn and hide. Koporokenie Pe, Mali.
This is a Dogon hand spun cotton thread spool on a stick with a terracotta spinning weight. A friend in the Dogon village of Koporo-pen where I lived for over 2 years spun and gave this to me when I admired it. She didn’t think twice. It was impressive to sit and watch her work and create the thread which eventually would have been woven and died with indigo. Some of the items in my collection have strong personal connections for me.
Proto Dogon/ Dogon iron amulet, Dogon plains, Mali. 12cm L, and the cuff shape inner dimension is 1.9cm. This iron object is heavily encrusted. It appears to have small rectangular attachments at the end which suggest something that moves and makes sound. It was possibly used for divination or other protective purposes. One interpretation is that they are a smaller representation of hand cuffs that were used as a ritual object to contain evil spirits.
Proto Dogon/ Dogon iron Arrow heads, Dogon plains, Mali.
Dogon amulet necklace, Koporopen, mali. Iron and stones.
Dogon wooden stool, Koporopen, Mali.
A carved wood Dogon head rest stool in the form of a female ancestor which was collected in Djenné, Mali
Proto Dogon/ Dogon terracotta bowl, Dogon plains, Mali
A Dogon door lock featuring a bird, Incised, carved wood. Mali
A Dogon door lock with antelope horns. Carved, incised wood, Mali.
A Dogon door lock with antelope horns. Carved, incised wood, Mali.
Another Dogon door lock with antelope horns. Carved, incised wood, Mali.
A Dogon door lock in the village of Koporo-pen, Mali.
A Dogon lock on a granary door, Koporo-pen, Mali.
A Dogon door lock with geometric form. Carved, incised wood, Mali.
A Dogon door lock with an equestrian figure. Carved, incised wood, Mali.
Large incised cast bronze Dogon ring. Collected in Koporokenie Pe, Mali, 2001. 1.75” x 1”.
Large incised cast bronze Dogon ring. Collected in Koporokenie Pe, Mali, 2001. 1.75” x 1”.
Dogon bronze ring with a gorgeous patina. Collected in the village of Pomorodoudiou, Mali. I believe the image is of a peanut. It was possibly worn to promote a good harvest.
Dogon Horse saddle stirrups, Koporopen, Mali.
Dogon cast bronze stirrups, Mali. 6.5" H x 4.5" W.
Dogon horse saddle blanket. Woven cotton, indigo cloth, and various combined textiles.
This is a Dogon worse blanket. Made from woven strip cotton, indigo dyed cloth, and other textiles. Koporopen, Mali
Dogon horse reins, dyed leather and woven rice bag material strips, Koporopen, Mali
A Dogon "hunter's" sachel. Leather and various materials and protective amulets including a Dogon wooden whistle, a fly whisk, antelope horns, sling shot, and a Dogon fire starter kit in a small leather bag, Koporopen, Mali.
A cast bronze Dogon bracellet with frog images.
A large cast bronze Dogon bracellet, Koporopen, Mali
