Mossi Figure of a Monkey, Burkina Faso

Hoop figure wearing ram-like curls, balanced on two tall legs.

This aluminum figure of a monkey is Mossi, from Burkina Faso, West Africa, and dates to the 20th century. Aluminum is a light metal that West African casters have often worked from recycled scrap, melting it and pouring it into molds to make small figures and objects. Open, ring-shaped body with a head topped by two rolled horns or ears and a long nose. Narrow arms circle inward and the legs spread into an arch on a small rectangular base. Light gray with pitted wear. It is 1.5 inches wide, 0.5 deep and 2.5 high.

All circles and corners, and a firm sense of balance.