The Ballerina 03
5.0 · 1 review$690.00
- Height
- Approx. 33 cm
- Weight
- Approx. 1.1 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
The Ballerinas
Grace, cast in bronze.
The Ballerinas is a series devoted to a single idea: the beauty of a woman in motion. The line of the arms, the lift of the chest, the poise of a body balanced on one point. Everything a dancer spends years perfecting, and the audience sees for only a second.
That second is what this series holds in bronze. Here, she rises on her toes, arms drawn into a perfect circle above her head, one knee lifted mid-turn. A rose patina on the tutu, gold-toned accents at the wrists, the neck, the waist and the ankle, each one laid by hand.
Cast in solid bronze by the lost-wax method, she exists in a single example. On a console or a library shelf, she brings to a room what she brings to the stage: presence.
How she was born
The workshop
From the workshop of Issouf Bonkoungou in Ouagadougou: three master artists and a whole team of artisans. Here, the craft passes from father to son, and every apprentice is paid, heard and shares in the profits.
Wax, then clay
Every piece begins as a figure modelled by hand in wax, with small channels for the metal to flow in and the air to escape. Layers of clay then harden around it into a mould.
The wax is lost
The mould is heated. The wax melts and runs out, leaving her shape hollow inside. This is where the technique gets its name.
Poured
Molten bronze fills the empty space left by the wax.
Broken free
Once cooled, the mould is broken to free her. It can never be used again: there will never be another one. She is then cleaned and polished by hand.
The patina
Colour by colour, the patina is laid by hand. It gives her the rose of her tutu and the gold-toned accents that catch the light.
“Gorgeous! Got it together with the other ballerina with the same colors and they look like they are dancing together in perfect harmony!”
Discover The Muses
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.
