Male statuette made of wood. Crudely hewn, only the face, the pectoral girdle, chest and the penis have been carved in more detail. The posture of the arms and the shape of the head are typical of this type of figure, which is called a bochio.The bochio, made by the village blacksmith, is placed in the ground in front of the entrance to the village or house, visible to all villagers, as a protective figure to ward off unpleasant contemporaries or spirits. It is important for the function of the figure that the tree trunk or branch remains visible as the bearer of the protective power.Author: Michael Schönhuth