Forged iron, ceremonial altar-staff.

Dogon cosmology considers fire as the essence of divine power and the source of life.

The blacksmith is using the fire to create ritual objects and farming tools and therefore is very respected and considered to be a magician. Making something from nothing.

58cm. Early 20^th century.

Collected in the 1990’s by Justin Barthels, who lived for some years with the Dogon.

€ 650-