Pamoja
$1,450.00
- Dimensions
- Approx. 53 × 23 cm
- Weight
- Approx. 4 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
Pamoja
Together, in Swahili.
Pamoja is a word heard all over East Africa: to work together, to stand together, to move forward together. It shares its root with UMOJA, our own name: moja, the number one.
Two tall figures stand shoulder to shoulder, wrapped in long robes of deep red patina, gold-toned beads at their necks. Their bodies merge into a single silhouette, held up on slender legs above an oval base.
No story to explain here, only a feeling: the strength of two who have chosen the same direction. In an entrance or beside a reading chair, it watches over a home. Cast by the lost-wax method, it exists in a single example.
How it 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.
Wax, then clay
Every figure is first modelled by hand in wax. Layers of clay are then pressed around it and left to harden into a mould.
The moulds
Once dry, the moulds wait side by side. Each one holds a single piece, and only one.
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
In the furnace, the bronze melts until it glows.
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: there will never be another one.
The patina
Filed, polished, then coloured layer after layer: the patina is laid by hand and gives each piece its own skin.
More Living Figures
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.
