Africa, Mali, Marka people, ca. early 20th century CE. A hand-carved wooden puppet with a pronounced head presenting skillfully delineated facial features, hammered brass eyes and decorative pieces attached with nails to the face characteristic of Marka masks, a coiffure segmented into four incised lobes, wearing a conical headdress extensively incised with cross-hatched pattern and adorned with four circular brass ornaments and a hand-woven cotton robe, the fabric with an olive green on beige striped pattern and cut to reveal her pronounced breasts and articulated arms (moved via strings hidden beneath garment) with hammered brass cuffs above the elbows and paddle-shaped hands. Custom stand. Size: 21" H (53.3 cm); 22" H (55.9 cm) on included custom stand.

Published in "The Colorful Sogo Bo Puppets of Mali" by Mary Sue Rosen and Paul Peter Rosen (Atglen, Pennsylvania, Schiffer Publishing Ltd. 2012), p. 76. The accompanying text reads, "This unpainted female rod figure has hammered brass attached to her face. Her arms, articulated at the shoulders, are moved by strings hidden by a robe of hand woven cotton cloth."

Provenance: Ex-Mary sue and Paul Peter Rosen, M.D. Exhibited at the Free Library Gallery, Philadelphia, 2011, the Pen and Brush Gallery, New York, 2008, and the SMA Fathers Museum of African Art,
Sue and Paul Peter Rosen, M.D. Exhibited at the Free Library Gallery
Philadelphia 2011, The Pen and Brush Gallery New York 2008, and the SMA Fathers Museum of African Art.
Fathers Museum of African Art, New Jersey 2010.
Sue and Paul Peter Rosen, M.D. Exhibited at the Free Library Gallery
Philadelphia 2011, The Pen and Brush Gallery New York 2008, and the SMA
Fathers Museum of African Art, New Jersey 2010.

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#124616

Strings beneath the robe are a bit frayed but still serve to move the puppet's arms. Perforation through nose may have once held a ring. Small loss to nipple of one breast. Normal surface wear commensurate with age. Seam of robe restitched in areas, some loose stitches, fraying to edges, and a small hole on front, but overall very good.