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Learning Together Statue
Learning Together Statue

Artisan made home goods like the Learning Together Statue add culture and craftsmanship to any household. A one-of-a-kind gift for a mother, teacher or mentor, the statue was handmade by skilled artisans in Burkina Faso. This piece of African art was made in the ancient lost wax method of casting bronze. First, the artisan sculpts the wax, then covers it in clay. Once the clay is dry, molten recycled bronze is poured into the mold, melting the wax and filling the mold. Once the bronze has hardened, the clay is smashed, revealing the statue beneath.

  • Bronze
  • Due to the handcrafted nature of our products, slight variations enhance authenticity.
  • 3"D x 14"H
  • Handcrafted in Burkina Faso

SKU: 1801020

THE MAKERS

Atelier de Bronze Bonkoungou et Frère specializes in the traditional technique of lost wax bronze casting. The workshop leader, Issouf Bonkoungou learned the ancient technique from his father and from a retired master artisan by the name of Sissao Hamidou whom Ten Thousand Villages began purchasing from in 1996. Mr. Hamidou was instrumental in the formation of the first artisan enterprise for bronze casting in the area, Antelier de Formation et de Promotion des Artisans in 2013 with aid from MCC Burkina Faso, a relief, development and peace agency of the North American Mennonite and Brethren in Christ. He continued training artisans in the craft and selling lost wax statues to Ten Thousand Villages until his retirement in 2021 when he passed the secure buying relationship on to Mr. Bonkoungou and Atelier de Bronze Bonkoungou. Ten Thousand Villages is the only advanced payment, bulk order buyer for Mr. Bonkoungou’s family and dozen other craftspeople working with him—fair trade has made a living wage possible in this marginalized area for more than two decades.
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Welcome to our global maker-to-market movement where, together with 20,000 artisans, we ignite social change. We create opportunities for individuals, families, and communities in developing countries to thrive through strong relationships, fair wages, safe working conditions, and sustainable practices.

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