Ancestor couple – Metal – Brass – Dogon – Mali

The Dogon have a highly sophisticated artisan tradition of art and is primarily mirror-images, aproned figures, and standing sculpture. Dogon art revolves around religious values, ideals, and freedoms. Dogon sculptures are not made to be seen publicly, and are commonly hidden from the public eye within the houses of families, sanctuaries, or kept with the Hogon . The importance of secrecy is due to the symbolic meaning behind the pieces and the process by which they are made.

Themes found throughout Dogon sculpture consist very often of married couples. As an example of traditional African art, Dogon bronze figure and masks in particular, became popular and well-known in Western art circles in the 20th century.