Bura Stone Marker

This abstract stone sculpture is a funerary marker of the Bura people of the Niger/Mali region. Little is known about the Bura civilization (c. 200-1000 AD), but it shares many of its artistic traditions with other pre-colonial African groups such as the Djenne Kingdom. This stone funerary marker is a carved as a stylized figure, reduced to only the essential features. The triangular face is bisected by an elongated nose and the eyes and mouth are rendered as simple geometric forms. Perhaps a reflection of social standing and status, these sculptural Bura markers are extraordinary works of art that offer a glimpse at an ancient tradition.