Historiated plaque of the Cosmogony
Dogon culture, Mali
18th century or earlier
Copper alloy
Height: 24.5 cm; Width: 6 cm
(old accident)

Historiated plaque of the Dogon cosmogony on four registers.
It is entirely cut out and openwork on the sides, while the center is occupied by several figures drawn in bas-relief. These include the androgynous twins back to back, Amma, the creator god, as well as a male figure with a goatee and a female figure kneeling before him on the lower part.
The background of the plaque is dotted with small, spherical, star-like protuberances. This illustration could be related to Amma, also described as a celestial deity.

Text and photos © FCP CORIDON