Boli, Bamana, Mali

Collection Enrico Prometti, Bergame
Collection Luciano Lanfranchi, Milan
Collection privée, Belgique 

Very Good condition overall. Wear consistent with age and use within the culture: losses, chips and cracks, as visible in the catalogue illustration. Exceptional thick and crusty dark brown patina due to the extended ritual use of the object.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

L’esthétique du boli, ignorant nos modes de classification, participe de l’indéfinissable. Né de l’amalgame progressif de matières diverses soigneusement choisies : écorce, racine, feuilles, terre, plumes… recouvertes du sang sacrificiel, il répond à une conception éminemment complexe. « Aux yeux des adeptes, il est parfaitement vain de définir clairement une puissance dont la force est précisément de revêtir des formes multiples, de se défigurer et de se re-figurer sans cesse » (Colleyn, Bamana, 2009, p. 3).

Par sa masse, par son mouvement retenu - comme figé dans le processus de sa lente métamorphose - ce quadrupède, impose la puissance du Watiriwa, boli principal du culte du Kono, dont la réputation « se mesure à la protection qu'il offre à ses fidèles contre les attaques en sorcellerie » (idem, p. 41).