Pair of Dogon Male and Female Zoomorphic Figures, Mali

Julius Carlebach, New York
Jay C. Leff, Uniontown, Pennsylvania, acquired from the above on February 12, 1957
Sotheby's, New York, May 5, 1997, lot 98, consigned by the above
Liz Claiborne and Arthur Ortenberg, New York, acquired at the above auction

Carnegie Institute, Pittsburgh, Exotic Art from Ancient and Primitive Civilizations: the Collection of Jay C. Leff, October 15 1959 - January 3, 1960
Museum of Primitive Art, New York, African Sculpture from the Collection of Jay C. Leff, November 24 , 1964 - February 7, 1965
Carnegie Institute, Museum of Art, Pittsburgh, The Art of Black Africa: Collection of Jay C. Leff, October 24, 1969 - January 18, 1970

Walter A. Fairservis, Jr., Exotic Art from Ancient and Primitive Civilizations: Collection of Jay C. Leff, Pittsburgh, 1959, p. 31, no. 175
Carnegie Institute, The Art of Black Africa: Collection of Jay C. Leff, Pittsburgh, 1969, no. 2

Very good condition for objects of this rare type and great age. Wood is dry, aged, and weathered as seen in catalogue illustrations. Age cracks throughout. Old losses to bottoms of feet and tails, and to proper right rear leg of female dog. Erosion and shallow cavities. Marks, nicks, scratches, abrasions, pitting and small losses consistent with age and use. Metal necklace on female dog is tarnished. Each dog with two of four legs drilled underneath from a previous mounting.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Dogon statuary is linked to "a vast body of myths pertaining to the creation of the universe, the struggle between order and disorder, and the place of mankind within it" (Ezra 1988: 16).  The iconography of the dog is linked with the historic Dogon migration, as recounted by Jean Laude (1973: pl. 54): "When the migrating Dogon arrived at the edge of the Bandiagara cliff, they came into conflict with the Tellem, who jealously concealed the location of wells and water holes.  Exhausted by their journey and parched by the drought, the Dogon saw one of their dogs come running with wet paws.  They occupied the watering place discovered by the animial and, thus refreshed, were able to dislodge the Tellem from the Cliff.  Depictions of dogs commemorate this important event in Dogon history. [...]  According to Desplagnes, who made his observations in 1907, there was a dog clan in the Dogon country, and the animal was ritually sacrificed, in all likelihood over his sculptured image."  The Leff pair of Dogon dogs are particularly remarkable for their preservation as they were originally conceived, as a male and female couple.  They are the only such couple known.