Depicting a kneeling mother cradling her child, this beautifully cast Djenne bronze is a miniature sculptural marvel. The mothers head is slightly tilted upwards, displaying a pronounced mouth and chin - a stylistic characteristic found among works from this period. The elongated form of the mothers body features extended arms, accentuating her protective gesture. As a result of weathering over the centuries, the bronze has developed a verdigris surface patina.
Small bronze figurines from the Djenne period are some of the earliest known examples of African figurative art. A lot is unknown about this figurines use, but it is considered beside other functions that they were possibly kept in family shrines and buried with the deceased.
Ex Galerie Walu, Zurich (before 1990)
Ex Private Collection, Switzerland
Estimated Period: 12th Century - 16th Century
H (Incl. Stand): 8.5cm