African Artifact - Rare Gurunsi Horseman Marionette

From Burkina Faso, includes a custom-made stand

African Artifact - Rare Gurunsi Horseman Marionette - Burkina Faso

Dimensions:      19.7 inches long, 12.6 inches wide - excluding stand Weight: 2 kg (4.4 POUNDS) - including stand Materials: Wood, raffia cloth, beads, cowrie shells  Country of origin: Burkina Faso  Tribe: Gurunsi Estimaged age: 2nd half of 20th century

This marionette comes from Burkina Faso and was made by the Gurunsi, a group of non-Muslim tribes associated with the Lobi, Mossi and Bwa.  The horseman's arms and legs are articulated, designed to swing as the puppet is shaken, depicting life-like movements.   Most likely, this marionette would have been used in performances, but may also have simply been a child's toy. Drama, theatrical performances and puppet shows form a major part of Burkina Faso culture. This is a most rare & exquisite find! Please note that the marionette has been mounted on a custom-made stand. Information on African puppets: African puppets are relatively unknown in Europe. Traditional puppet theatre exists in Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Cameroun, Gabon, and Congo. Modern types of puppetry may be found in Togo, Nigeria, Zaïre, Burundi, and South Africa. Most of the puppets are rod, string or hand puppets; there are no shadow figures. They may be articulated or non-articulated, as is the case with (small) statues and 'marottes' (a head mounted on a stick, representing human types, known in Europe as a 'fool's bauble'). The ritual origin of African puppets is obvious: small statues were and are used in ancestor worship and by initiation societies. Even when the context is secular, there is a feeling of sacredness, as is the case with the Bamana and Bozo puppets discussed below. Puppets are sacred and mysterious, a double of man, created to project his being, but also a double of society. Their performances are often funny and destined to make people laugh. Sexuality, a source of social tension, and its corollary fertility are favourite themes in this type of popular entertainment. Another form of, very small-scale, puppetry is 'mini-puppets'. They consist of two small puppets on strings, usually a male and a female, facing each other and often depicting love-making. The strings are attached to the big toes of the puppeteer who manipulates the puppets by beating his hands on his thighs. Originally they were used for divination, but now it is generally child's play. They are to be found in West and Central Africa.

Shipping Information: There are 3 types of shipping available:          Airmail (Air): This is the standard and most reliable method as items get there quickly, approximately 10-15 working days.     Surface Mail (Sea): This method is much cheaper, but items can take up to 3 months to arrive, and fragile items have a higher risk of being damaged in transit. SURFACE MAIL prices for this item: N & S America, Canada, Mexico: $26 Europe, UK+ Germany: $24 Asia, Australia, Japan: $20       Airport to airport (Air): This can be a very cost effective & fast method if you live near an airport & are willing to collect the item yourself. This method is only cost effective if an item or combined items weigh over 8 kg. Shipping charges are based on the WEIGHT and volume of a parcel & are shipped from South Africa, where I live: Shipping Discounts: I offer very good shipping discounts on multiple items - so buy as much as you like, send me an email to say you're done & I'll send you a combined invoice including the discount!

Payment, Returns & Other details: Payment: I prefer Paypal, but will also accept a direct transfer. Please just ask if you'd like to pay via another method & I'll do my best to accommodate you. Returns: If the item arrives not as described or broken, I'll happily refund you for the amount you paid (including shipping). Please note that this does not include shipping from your country back to me (in South Africa). Gifts: Let me know if your item is a gift & I'll include a gift card with a note of your choice.