#955 Superb vintage African Dogon Bronze Horseman Cast Handmade Mali 4.5" H

This vintage Dogon bronze equestrian figure on a black wooden stand is a mrammuo—a traditional gold weight—measuring 4.5" H × 2" D × 2" W. Crafted using the lost-wax process, these bronze figurines served a vital economic function in West African trade. When gold became a restricted commodity under Islamic law, Akan merchants relied on precisely calibrated weights like this to measure gold dust, which circulated as currency. Traders also employed scales, boxes, and brass spoons to facilitate transactions until European currency arrived. This piece represents both artistic mastery and the sophisticated commercial systems of Mali's trading networks.