African Figurative Bronzes (Two Graceful Women and a Warrior/Fisherman)
Bronze sculpture; small-scale figurative statues • West African school, likely Burkinabé or Malian workshop; style reminiscent of Edo or contemporary bronze casters in Ouagadougou
Style & Movement
Modern West African Folk Art / Stylized Figurative Abstraction
Medium & Technique
Cire perdue (lost-wax) cast bronze with cold-painted or patinated verdigris finish on lower sections
Creation Period
Mid to late 20th century (circa 1960-1990)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 15-25 cm in height; portrait-oriented vertical figurines
Subject Description
A group of three figures: two elongated female figures with arms raised to their heads (possibly carrying invisible vessels) and one spindly male figure holding a curved staff and a circular shield or net, representing traditional daily life or folk narratives.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good/Very Good; surface oxidation consistent with age and typical verdigris patina application
Estimated Market Value
$150 - $400 USD for the set of three
Auction Estimate
$100 - $300 USD
Provenance History
Likely acquired via the international ethnographic art market or as high-quality artisanal exports from West Africa; private collection history typical of mid-century global decor.
Art Historical Significance
Representational of the mid-20th century 'African Modernist' transition where traditional lost-wax techniques were adapted for decorative, elongated aesthetics popularized by global interest in African sculpture.
Notable Features
Distinctive high-waisted elongation of the forms and the contrast between polished brassy bronze highlights and the matte teal-green patination.
Condition Issues
Minor surface dust in crevices; intentional verdigris wear; potential slight bending of the wire-thin staff on the rightmost figure.
Conservation Recommendations
Gentle dusting with a soft-bristled brush; avoid chemical cleaners which could strip the verdigris patina; maintain in a low-humidity environment to prevent bronze disease.