Mali

Wood, organic, and inorganic materials
48 x 63 cm

Provenance:
Galerie Jean Pierre Laprugne, Paris, acquired in the 1990's

Boliw played a crucial role in Bamana rituals. They are predominantly made of a wooden core structure, sometimes including bones, around which clay and diverse materials are applied, resulting in bulbous, quite anamorphic figures, bearing a vague resemblance to a four-legged animal that can not be exactly identified. The continuous offering of sacrificial fluids and both organic and inorganic materials obscure the original shape of the boli. With each added layer of sacrificial materials, the spiritual power of the boli increases, and the rich layering and cracks of this boli testify to its age and extensive use.