Dogon. Nommo Figure with Raised Arms, 11th–15th century (possibly). Wood, organic sacrificial materials, 10 1/2 x 2 7/8 x 1 3/4 in. (26.7 x 7.3 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, The Adolph and Esther D. Gottlieb Collection, 1989.51.39. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1989.51.39_PS6.jpg)
Dogon. Nommo Figure with Raised Arms, 11th–15th century (possibly). Wood, organic sacrificial materials, 10 1/2 x 2 7/8 x 1 3/4 in. (26.7 x 7.3 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, The Adolph and Esther D. Gottlieb Collection, 1989.51.39. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.1989.51.39_print_threequarter_bw.jpg)
Nommo Figure with Raised Arms
Arts of Africa
The Tellem are thought to have occupied the region of the Bandiagara escarpment until the sixteenth century. The human form with raised arms is a common pose for Tellem sculptures and is said to refer to prayers for rain, crucial in this dry region.
MEDIUM
Wood, organic sacrificial materials
DATES
11th–15th century (possibly)
DIMENSIONS
10 1/2 x 2 7/8 x 1 3/4 in. (26.7 x 7.3 x 4.4 cm) (show scale)
COLLECTIONS
Arts of Africa
ACCESSION NUMBER
1989.51.39
CREDIT LINE
The Adolph and Esther D. Gottlieb Collection
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Figure with raised arms. Wood base, completely covered with rough, dull grey patina from accretion of sacrificial substances. Facial features indistinct, protruding triangle suggests beard, above long cylindrical neck. Long arms extend over head, bent slightly backwards; two oval shapes on chest indicating breasts. Head and torso continuous; rounded buttocks and short legs, with blackish feet. CONDITION: Part of right foot broken off; slight crack extending from back to buttocks.
EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Dogon. Nommo Figure with Raised Arms, 11th–15th century (possibly). Wood, organic sacrificial materials, 10 1/2 x 2 7/8 x 1 3/4 in. (26.7 x 7.3 x 4.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, The Adolph and Esther D. Gottlieb Collection, 1989.51.39. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1989.51.39_PS6.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 1989.51.39_PS6.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2011
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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