Tribal Art

Dogon Rider (N° 24395)

The original proportions of the rider and his horse, in the N'duleri style, mark the desire to personify chimerical beings and give all the grace of this Dogon sculpture. Very beautiful mottled, velvety, chipped patina.
Minor cracks and erosions.
The frequent representations of riders among the Dogon of Mali refer to their cosmogony and their complex religious myths. Indeed, one of the Nommos, ancestors of men, resuscitated by the creator god Amma, is said to have descended to earth carried by an ark transformed into a horse. In addition, the highest authority of the Dogon people, the religious leader named Hogon, paraded on his mount during his enthronement because according to custom he was not to set foot on the ground. In the region of the cliffs of Sangha, inaccessible on horseback, the priests wore it, while neighing in reference to the mythical ancestor Nommo.
Ref. : " Dogon " H. Leloup - Quai Branly Museum.