These figures count as one of the most powerful and most important holy Bamana objects and arrived very late on the international art scene. The energy that is united in the masks of the Kono society is “stored” in these figures. Usually they are made out of clay, porcupine bristles, straw, blood, bees wax and mostly have the form of a bestial mythical creature. Big boliw are mostly used as altars or shrines and in their design reveal a combination of different animals or one that is regarded as powerful e.g. a hippopotamus or a Zebu cow. Occasionally little pieces of gold are kept in the inside of a boli in order to attract ghosts or give power.
This very well preserved and beautiful piece has been in the ownership of a man of private means from Hamburg since many years. |
