Who created "Figure: Pair of Balafon Players"?

Figure: Pair of Balafon Players was created by Dogon artist in 18th–early 19th century.

When was "Figure: Pair of Balafon Players" created?

This artwork was created 18th–early 19th century.

What medium is "Figure: Pair of Balafon Players"?

Figure: Pair of Balafon Players is Wood, metal.

Is "Figure: Pair of Balafon Players" in the public domain?

Yes, Figure: Pair of Balafon Players is in the public domain and available for free download under CC0 license.

Figure: Pair of Balafon Players

Dogon artist

18th–early 19th century

Medium

Wood, metal

Dimensions

H. 15 7/16 x W. 5 3/4 x D. 6 1/2 in. (39.3 x 14.6 x 16.5 cm)

Classification

Wood-Sculpture

Culture

Dogon

Department

Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

Credit

The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Bequest of Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1979

Accession Number

1979.206.131

Tags

Human FiguresMusical Instruments

Art Historical Context

This exquisite wooden sculpture, titled *Figure: Pair of Balon Players*, was crafted by a Dogon artist from Mali during the 18th early 19th century Standing just over 15 inches tall the work depicts two stylized human figures poised with balafons—traditional West African xylophone-like instruments made of wood and gourds. Carved from wood with metal accents, it exemplifies the Dogon mastery of abstract figuration, where elongated forms and geometric proportions convey spiritual vitality rather than realistic anatomy. In Dogon culture, such paired figures often symbolized harmony, community ri...

Figure: Pair of Balafon Players

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