The Muse 22
$1,490.00
- Height
- Approx. 55 cm
- Weight
- Approx. 2.5 kg
- Material
- Solid bronze, lost-wax cast
- Finish
- Patina applied by hand
- Edition
- Unique piece
- Made in
- Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Delivery
- Shipped with UPS, tracked from the day it leaves
- To North America, Europe and Africa
- At your door in 8 to 15 business days
- Shipping calculated at checkout, duties may apply
Returns
- 14 days from delivery to change your mind
- Write to contact@umojastudio.fr and we guide you
Authenticity
- Made in the workshop of Issouf Bonkoungou, Ouagadougou
- A certificate of authenticity is available on request
Talk to an advisor
- Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM
- Or write to contact@umojastudio.fr
Ochre
Hands raised to her shoulder.
A gesture that could be shyness, could be pride: her hands lifted to her shoulder, fingers spread.
She wears a tall golden headwrap and an ochre dress with a rough, almost woven texture. Her long dark arms and legs give the piece a striking contrast of colour and material.
Earthy and expressive, she pairs beautifully with natural materials. Lost-wax cast, she is the only one of her kind.
How she was born
The workshop
In Ouagadougou, in the workshop of Issouf Bonkoungou: three master artists and a whole team of artisans. The craft passes from father to son, and every apprentice is paid, heard and shares in the profits.
Shaped by hand
Every Muse begins as a figure modelled by hand in wax. The tilt of the head, the line of the dress, the hand on the hip: everything is decided here.
Wrapped in clay
Layer after layer, clay is pressed around the wax, with small channels left for the metal to flow in and the air to escape.
The moulds
Dried in the sun, the moulds wait side by side. Each one holds the shape of a single figure, and only one.
The metal
Old bronze and brass are collected, sorted and given a second life in the furnace.
The wax is lost
In the fire, the wax melts and runs out, leaving its exact shape hollow inside the clay. This is where the technique gets its name.
Molten bronze
The metal melts until it glows. In the crucible, it turns to liquid gold.
Poured
The artisans pour it into the moulds, one after another, while the clay is still hot.
Broken free
Once cooled, each mould is broken by hand to free the bronze. It can never be used again: she will never have a twin.
Filed and polished
The channels are cut away, then the surface is filed and polished until the line of the body runs clean.
The patina
Colour comes last, laid by hand, layer after layer: the red, the turquoise, the gold of each dress.
Ready to leave
Finished, the pieces stand in a row in the workshop, before leaving for the homes that will keep them.
FAQ
Why is every piece unique?
In lost-wax casting, the clay mould is broken to free the bronze, so it can only be used once. The patina is then applied by hand. No two pieces can ever be identical.
Is it solid bronze?
Yes. Every piece is cast in genuine bronze, then finished and patinated by hand. Small variations in texture and colour are the mark of hand work.
Where should I place it?
Indoors, on a stable, flat surface: a console, a shelf or a sideboard. A side light brings out the patina and draws its shadow on the wall.
How do I care for my bronze?
Dust it with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid water, chemical cleaners and abrasive materials, which can damage the patina, and long hours of direct sunlight. Over time, the patina may evolve naturally and gain character.
