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Kneeling Figure

Middle Niger civilization

Not on view

Physically imposing seated figures whose bodies are pyramidal in shape form a distinctive subgroup of the Middle Niger corpus of terracotta figures. A tiny, rounded head sits atop this figure’s narrow shoulders, while the arms descend toward a wide base. Its hands rest on protruding knees, while its legs are folded beneath rounded thighs. The figure’s surface is animated with raised dots and writhing serpents positioned in carefully articulated, evenly spaced rows. Such dramatic aesthetic flourishes may reference some type of bodily affliction.

Kneeling Figure, Terracotta, Middle Niger civilization

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Photo: Hughes Dubois