Old Gan Bronze Snake Pendant / Amulet – Burkina Faso – Lost Wax Casting

Bronze. Weight: 80 g (2.82 oz). Dimensions: 13.7 × 5.1 cm (5.39 × 2.01 in).

This striking bronze pendant was created by the Gan people of southwestern Burkina Faso, a culture renowned for its refined metalwork and distinctive symbolic jewelry. Cast using the traditional lost-wax technique, the pendant features an elegant asymmetrical form, combining sinuous and geometric elements in a design that recalls the symbolism of the serpent, an important motif in Gan artistic traditions.

Such pendants were traditionally worn as markers of identity, status, and cultural affiliation, and were valued both for their aesthetic qualities and their symbolic significance. The piece displays a rich aged patina that enhances its sculptural character and attests to its authenticity.

For more information and comparable examples:

– Bronzes gan – la spirale du serpent, by Bertrand Goy and Maine Durieu, Éditions Sépia, 2005, provides an in-depth analysis of Gan bronzes and their symbolism;

– Les Gan du Burkina Faso, by Daniela Bognolo.

The Barbier-Mueller Museum, Geneva, houses an important collection of Gan bronzes, illustrating the remarkable artistic achievements of this West African culture.

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