Burkina Faso — Bronze Revival - West African Sculptures

BURKINA FASO

Burkina Faso, formerly known as the colony of Upper Volta, is a landlocked country located in the Sahel region of West Africa and surrounded by Mali, Niger, Benin, Togo, Ghana and Ivory Coast.

Rock formations, waterfalls and national parks are only some of the natural attractions of this French speaking country and they provide a welcome backdrop to some instability in recent years.

The country’s cultural diversity includes music festivals, traditional music and dance, freedom of religion, unique customs and several ethnic languages.
Burkina Faso is geographically biodiverse and boasts picturesque landscapes of different types of terrain, with the northern part of the country covered in desert, while the southwest is woodland and savanna. With an economy based on agriculture and mining, it is also the largest cotton producer and exporter in Africa.

Home to over 60 ethnic groups, Burkina Faso is known as a leader in African art and hosts the largest craft market on the continent. Among the most famous are the Mossi, Bobo and Lobi ethnic groups, specializing in antelope masks, large butterfly masks and carved wood respectively.

Perhaps one of the most substantial contribution to their homeland by Burkinabé artists is the outstanding creation of bronze sculptures by lost-wax casting professionals. These comprise skilled, multi-generational family enterprises which continue to pursue their art form with great pride, dedication and attention to detail.

LOT 2 - TUAREG AND CAMEL, LARGE, KNEELING - 31”H x 41”W x 12”D (83.8 x 104 x 30.5 cm)

LOT 3 - STYLIZED WOMAN - 21”H x 7”W (53.3 x 17.8 cm)

LOT 4 - WATER BEARER, LARGE, WITH WATER POUCHES - 31”H x 16”W x 12”D (78.7 x 40.6 x 30.5 cm)

LOT 5 - MORO NABA ON HORSEBACK - 22”H x 8”W (55.9 x 20.3 cm)

The once powerful Mossi Kingdoms were located in present-day Burkina Faso. The rulers of each kingdom were titled Moro Nabas and were typically hereditary, following only male lines of descent. And yet, they are all descendants of the famous Warrior Princess Yennega, the ‘grandmother’ of the Mossis. Although the French colonial period and subsequent independence of Burkina Faso have stripped the Moro Nabas of their previous political powers, they still maintain an influential and respected role in traditional matters of their people.

LOT 6 - MOSSI MOTHER AND BABY - 8.5”H x 12”W (22 x 30cm)

LOT 7 - NUDE WOMAN READING - 21”H x 8”W (53.3 x 20.3)

LOT 8 - THE GOLDEN STALLION - 17”H x 14”W (43.2 x 35.5 cm)

LOT 9 - THE DAIRY VENDOR STANDING, LARGE - 62”H x 15”W x 16”D (157.5 x 38 x 40.5 cm)

LOT 10 - THE BRIDE AND GROOM - 12”H x 11”W (30.5 x 28 cm)

LOT 11 - TUAREG AND CAMEL, STANDING - 21”H x 15”W (53.3 x 38 cm)

LOT 12 - THE WOODCUTTERS - 16”H x 13”W (40.6 x 33 cm)

LOT 13 - WATER BEARER, MEDIUM - 14”H x 8”W (35 x 20 cm)

LOT 14 - THE DAIRY VENDOR KNEELING - 15”H x 9”W (38 x 22.8 cm)

LOT 15 - THE VILLAGE ELDERS, PAIR - 8”H x 14”W (20.3 x 35.5 cm)