Dogon Tellem Figure , Raised arms, OLD African carving Start Price USD 900.00 Current Price USD 900.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Thursday, May 08, 2008 End Time Sunday, May 18, 2008 Location Denver, CO See more about 'Dogon Tellem Figure , Raised arms, OLD African carving' Description Title: Dogon Figure,Raised Arms, Tellem Posture, African Art Type of Object: Carving, Statue Ethnic Group/Tribe: Dogon Country of Origin: Mali Materials: Wood, pigment, encrustation Approximate Age: Mid 20th century Dimensions: Height is 25 inches. Overall Condition: Good Damage, Repair: Encrustation coming apart, wearAdditional Information: A Dogon standing female figure with in the archaic "Tellem" pose, with arms raised to the heavens. This standing figure portrays Tellem, ancient spirits that the Dogon venerate to bring rain to their dry land. The standing position of the figures with their arms upraised are said to be acting as intermediaries to deities for rain. These figures are modeled after much older figures found in the caves, where the Dogon buried their dead.Around 1490, the Dogon fled the Mossi cavalry and its Islamic theology, settling in the imposing cliffs of Bandiagara, the land of the Tellem. As more Dogon migrated into the area, they absorbed the Tellem into their culture. In the process, there emerged what is recognized today as the "Dogon style." There are numerous theories about the meaning of these statues, from a "prayer for rain," to less specific ones, with the statue serving as a priestly intermediary for ancestral contact. Like most Dogon art, its true meaning is shrouded in myth. The Dogon, numbering around a quarter of a million, are one of most remarkable cultures in the world. Due to centuries of cultural isolation, Dogon art remains remarkably unaffected. They have become a laboratory, of sorts, for ethnologists. They are a very hospitable people, much to the relief of the scholars and journalists who have intruded upon them. Though they occasionally perform dances for visitors, they carefully guard the majority of their ritual and artistic traditions. The enduring fascination with the Dogon shows no signs of abatement.The surface on this female figure has an encrusted patina, which may be bat guano, which aided the preservation of objects in cave. It also shows signs of long use. This is a fascinating ols piece that would stand well in any collection. Recommended Reading: See Laude's AFRICAN ART OF THE DOGON.I have examined this piece and agree with the description.Niangi Batulukisi, Ph.D  **W2163** All content, including pictures, Copyright Africa Direct Inc., 2006 Add Us To Your Favorite Sellers! Please visit our About Us page. SquareTrade © AP6.0 PesaMember Place a Bid!