Conservation
Bocio are often coated/encrusted with a variety of materials, which along with found objects, may contribute to the power associated with the figure.
The collection records for these figures describe their coatings/encrustations as potentially containing blood, which is consistent with similar power objects in other collections. To substantiate this claim, research was undertaken to characterize the coatings/encrustations. In addition, conservators did fiber analysis of samples taken from the surface of the larger Bocio.
Based on the previous analysis, Hemastix® were used to confirm the presence or absence of blood residue. A color shift from yellow to blue indicated a positive result.
We rolled a dampened swab across the surface, and touched it to the test strip on the Hemastix®. The blue green result indicates a the presence of blood.
Fiber Identification was undertaken for the small red fibers found on the large, front skull. When viewed under magnification and transmitted light, the fiber is similar to that of a bast fiber. Common bast fibers include hemp, flax, and jute, all of which are common throughout Africa.