Object type: Protective wrought iron sculpture
Culture: Lobi people
Region: Burkina Faso (also present in Ghana and northern Côte d'Ivoire)
Period: Antique
Materials: Wrought iron
Form: Snake with antelope head silhouette rising above undulations
Patina: Old, ochre-brown
Dimensions: 20 inches height × 4.25 inches width × 0.5 inches depth
Condition: Stand is not included. See photographs for details.
Description:
This protective wrought iron sculpture is attributed to the Lobi people of Burkina Faso. The piece takes the form of a snake, a common motif in Lobi ironwork, and is distinguished by the silhouette of an antelope's head rising above the undulating snake body. The sculpture was intended to be planted in the ground as part of protective rituals. The surface exhibits an old, ochre-brown patina consistent with age and exposure. The sculpture measures 20 inches in height, 4.25 inches in width, and 0.5 inches in depth. The stand is not included. Please refer to the photos for detailed condition documentation.
Populations grouped under the name "Lobi" comprise 1/5 of the inhabitants of Burkina Faso. A few live in Ghana, and some have also settled in northern Côte d'Ivoire. It was at the end of the 18th century that the Lobi, originating from northern Ghana, settled among the indigenous Thuna and Puguli, Dagara, Dian, Gan, and Birifor peoples.
Object type: Protective wrought iron sculpture
Culture: Lobi people
Region: Burkina Faso (also present in Ghana and northern Côte d'Ivoire)
Period: Antique
Materials: Wrought iron
Form: Snake with antelope head silhouette rising above undulations
Patina: Old, ochre-brown
Dimensions: 20 inches height × 4.25 inches width × 0.5 inches depth
Condition: Stand is not included. See photographs for details.
Description:
This protective wrought iron sculpture is attributed to the Lobi people of Burkina Faso. The piece takes the form of a snake, a common motif in Lobi ironwork, and is distinguished by the silhouette of an antelope's head rising above the undulating snake body. The sculpture was intended to be planted in the ground as part of protective rituals. The surface exhibits an old, ochre-brown patina consistent with age and exposure. The sculpture measures 20 inches in height, 4.25 inches in width, and 0.5 inches in depth. The stand is not included. Please refer to the photos for detailed condition documentation.
Populations grouped under the name "Lobi" comprise 1/5 of the inhabitants of Burkina Faso. A few live in Ghana, and some have also settled in northern Côte d'Ivoire. It was at the end of the 18th century that the Lobi, originating from northern Ghana, settled among the indigenous Thuna and Puguli, Dagara, Dian, Gan, and Birifor peoples.
