Dogon-Tintam Male Ancestor Figure, Mali

Jay C. Leff, Uniontown, Pennsylvania, by 1959
Sotheby Parke Bernet, New York, October 10-11, 1975, lot 176A, consigned by the above
Allan Stone, New York

Carnegie Institute, Pittsburgh, Exotic Art from Ancient and Primitive Civilizations, the Collection of Jay C. Leff, October 15, 1959 - January 3, 1960
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
Carnegie Institute, The Art of Black Africa: Collection of Jay C. Leff, Pittsburgh, 1969, no. 14
Parke-Bernet Galleries, New York, African Art from the Collection of Jay C. Leff, April 22, 1967, lot 18

Very good condition for an object of this great age and rare type. Marks, nicks, scratches, abrasions, and small losses throughout. Abrasions down the edges of both arms as discussed in catalogue note. Old loss to front of beard. Old chips and surface abrasions along edges. Age cracks to back of head, neck, and down right side. Exceptionally fine, black aged patina with encrustation, seething ritually-applied oil. Metal sleeve embedded in the underside for attachment to base.
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.

At the northernmost end of the Bandiagara Escarpment is the Bondum region, one of the most remote and inaccessible areas of Dogon country. In her 1994 classification of Dogon art, Hélène Leloup identifies a sculptural style from this region which she names Tintam, for the main village of Bondum. The stylistic hallmarks of the style, which is quite close to pre-Dogon Djennenke sculpture, include a close-cropped cap-like "bowl" coiffure, heavy, rounded bodies, and the absence of any represented clothing except in some cases loincloths, jewelry, or Muslim-inspired amulets.  The present massive male figure is a particularly impressive example of this archaic style.  See  Leloup (2011: 134) for a figure in a Belgian private collection with a similar zig-zag border around the edge of the coiffure, with an approximate date of 15th-17th centuries obtained by radiocarbon testing.

Formerly in the collection of Jay C. Leff, the Stone Dogon-Tintam figure is further distinguished by its rubbed surface and oily ritual patina, indicating a long period of use in situ.  Deliberate orderly abrasions at the mouth, beard, and arms appear to be the remnants of a ritual practice of scraping small bits of material from the figure.  Such scrapings have been observed on other early Dogon figures, such as for example a figure previously in the collection of the artist Chaim Gross (see Sotheby's New York, May 15, 2009, lot 19).