Terracotta statue representing a kneeling figure, arms crossed on the chest, head and back covered with a coat on which snakes are depicted. This coat is reminiscent of the Carthaginian Tanit coat - high priest's coat? (see de Grunne). According to the field survey conducted by B. de Grunne in 1984 and 1985 in the interior delta of the Niger, this position with arms crossed is practiced to ask for help from the gods.
"The human figures covered with serpents represent very important personages who are said to have the power to command the serpents" (de Grunne, p. 38, doc. 6).
Terracotta in the state of discovery, unrestored.
Circa XII-XVIth century AD
30 x 14 x 19 cm approximately.
Origin :
Abu Sanogo, Bamako, 1980.
Kassoum Sidibe, 1980.
ABH collection, Paris, 1990.
References:
B. de Grunne, “Djenné-jeno, 100 years of terracotta sculptures”, Brussels, Donds Mercator, p. 38, no.11.
B. de Grunne, “Ancient terracotta from West Africa”, Louvain la Neuve, 1986, p.62.
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