Description:

Mali, Dogon culture, 20th century. Stools play an important role in the social, political, and religious life of the Dogon people. The Dogon create two distinct types of stools; those that are rather simple and abstract and those that are more complex iconographically and stylistically such as this example. Supported by figures representing ancestors or nommo, stools such as this example were originally symbols of authority for the priests or hogons rather than ordinary utilitarian stools. Those with posts in the middle are linked to Dogon mythology in which the seat symbolizes heaven, the base represents earth, and the post signifies a tree that bridges the two. This stool is a marriage stool, the forms on either side of the stool represent a man and a woman who join hands representing their union. The woman is recognized by her fanciful coiffure and full breasts indicating her fertility and the promise of a marriage blessed with children. A stool such as this is presented to the bride on her wedding day and carries great symbolic meaning. 34 1/2"L x 10 3/4"T x 9 3/4"D

Provenance: Ex-Robert Pearson Collection, Denver, CO

All items in this auction are legal to buy/sell under U.S. statute covering cultural patrimony per United States Code 2600, CHAPTER 14 -- CONVENTION ON CULTURAL PROPERTY, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

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  • Condition: Choice condition.

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April 16, 2014 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000