Head of a Clay Figure (Dogū)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The clay head of a figure, titled "Head of a Clay Figure (Dogū)", by an unknown artist, is a light brown, roughly textured sculpture. The head features a wide, flat face that tapers slightly at the chin. Two triangular eye sockets are cut out, while the nose and mouth are subtly defined. A distinctive hairstyle, resembling a crown or headband, tops the head, with thick, raised lines that swirl around the forehead and sides. A short, thin cylindrical object protrudes from the bottom center of the sculpture. The background transitions from black at the top to gray and then white at the bottom.