Bobo Standing Male Figure

Crested warrior-like figure with one arm stiff at its side and a pointed cap.

This standing male figure is Bobo, from Burkina Faso, West Africa, and dates to the early 20th century. It is bronze. Lost-wax casting involves modeling a figure in wax, covering it in clay and heating the mold so that the wax runs out and metal can be poured in. In the photo, a standing figure with a tall pointed cap, long face and a draped, lumpy torso. One arm is lifted back and ends in a small knob, and the legs are straight and narrow. The surface is dark with rough, patchy textures. It is 2 inches wide, 1 deep and 6 high.

Tall hat, flat shoes and wholly serious intentions.