"Small Debira Pendant - Gan Culture, Burkina Faso - 19th Century"
Small DEBIRA PENDANT showing TWO INTERLACED SERPENTS on which is seated an ANTHROPOMORPHIC CHARACTER. Suspension ring on reverse.Gan culture, Burkina Faso 19th century
Copper alloy
H. 13.3 cm, L 3.1 cm
Debira pendants are the plastic, miniature expression of the Torfan - a spiritual entity that can manifest itself in many forms, such as snake, tortoise, chameleon, panther or caiman. Its representations can vary, and fetishes can have from one to ten heads.
A protective figure, it keeps evil spirits away from people and livestock, and favours harvests and hunting.
N°173 from the "Bronzes, monumental miniatures" exhibition and sale.
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