Large Bozo Puppet Fish - Mali - White 172.2

A large Bozo puppet fish, hand-carved from wood by artisans in Mali, then painted and antiqued through a traditional underground smoking process. These river sculptures are miniature renditions of the Sogo Bo masquerade puppets used in ceremony.

The masquerades are run by the young men's association once the harvest is in, the puppets brought out in competitions to find the best performers. The Bozo are known as "masters of the river", their culture and art centred on life along the Niger. A striking one-of-a-kind piece, each quite different from the next.

Size: approx. 104cm W × 16cm D × 35cm H.