Tellem-Style Figure with Scarification and Bracelets

Tellem-Style Figure with Scarification and Bracelets

Dogon Culture

before 1985

Dogon Culture

West Africa

This sculpture has both female breasts and male genitalia, and these features, along with the pose of raised arms and bent knees, identifies this as a Tellem-style figure - an image that emulates the styles of earlier cultures that inhabited the Dogon region, and that represents a Nommo, a hermaphroditic primordial human ancestor that eventually split in two to create male and female humans. The elaborate geometric scarification also support this identification, and it also reflects the Dogon preference for order, symmetry, repetition, and compartmentalization in their design-as well as in their religion and cosmetology. The prominent herniated navel, elongated oval head, protruding chin, the rounded body, and thick neck also suggest that this figure was influenced by the Inland Niger Delta cultures, who were also ancient inhabitants of this area.

Researched by Rebecca Steiner, MSU Student, 2011, Under the direction of Dr. Billie Follensbee

20th Century

41.5 cm h. x 9.5 cm w. x 7 cm d.

Sculpture

Wood

Carved Design

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Stoneman

1985.58

1985

20200031