**Originally Listed at $800**

Africa, Burkina Faso, Lobi-Mossi, Bobo or Bwa peoples, ca. early 20th century CE. A hand-carved wooden figure created in Burkina Faso, regarded as one of the economically poorest countries in the world, yet one of the richest culturally. Rather than losing their indigenous traditions and converting to Islam or Christianity, many of these peoples contintue to honor their ancestral spirits as well as the animist spirits found in nature. One way of paying tribute to their ancestors is via preserving their native artistic traditions and creating masks and figures such as this example. This example presents a characteristically enlarged head with oval ears and a face that retains a bit of detail (feint carving of eyes and whisker-like striations that may indicate scarification), an abstract body with small, nubbin breasts and a protruding perhaps pregnant belly, and somewhat static standing position. Figures like this one are believed to possess associations with fertility rites and divination ceremonies. An old label on the underside of the metal stand identifies the piece as "Bobo;" however, oftentimes the visual culture of the Bobo and Bwa peoples are confused due to the confusion of French colonial officers at the turn of the century. An impressive figure with fabulous patina that has developed over the years. Size: 3.25" W x 12" H (8.3 cm x 30.5 cm)

The Bobo (or Bobo-Fing) peoples have lived in western Burkina Faso and Mali for centuries. They are best known for their masks which are worn with fanciful outfits for celebrations. The Bobo, as they call themselves, are an agricultural society. They dedicate themselves to restoring and maintaining nature's balance (which humans disturb) via sacrifices and ceremonies. Wuro is the name of their primary god of who maintains order in the land.

Provenance: Ex-private Peter Arnovick collection, Los Altos, CA. Mr. Arnovick was a collector and dealer of ancient and ethnographic cultures.

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#112083

Old stable fissures to the wood here and there. Lovely patina.