Early 20th C. African Malinke Wood Female Figure

West Africa, Mali, Malinke peoples, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A hand-carved hardwood female figure standing nude with delineated legs atop an integral circular plinth adorned with incised zigzagging patterns. The woman holds both hands to her bent knees as she presents with a rigid posture and bears a pair of perky breasts beneath her pendant-laden necklace. Her face is gently crested along her nasal line and has bulging eyes, thin lips, flared nostrils, and enormous ears beneath a backswept coiffure. Lustrous, honey-brown patina covers the entire figure in attractive coloration. Size: 3.6" W x 13.25" H (9.1 cm x 33.7 cm)