Bioma Figure c. 20th century

This 20th century, anonymous "Bioma Figure" is a carved wooden sculpture that is now in the collection of the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The figure is carved in a simple, stylized manner, with a large head and a slender body. The sculpture's overall aesthetic and simple form suggest its origin is from a non-Western culture. The sculpture’s body is covered with intricate designs, possibly related to cultural beliefs or ceremonies. The carving's size is small enough to be carried, implying that it may have been a talisman or a portable object with spiritual significance.