this object was sold

Debira Pendant Figuring A Turtle - Gan Culture, Burkina Faso - 19th Century

Object description :

"Debira Pendant Figuring A Turtle - Gan Culture, Burkina Faso - 19th Century"

DEBIRA PENDANT depicting a TURTLE with short legs and a pair of bulging eyes.
Gan culture, south-west Burkina Faso, 19th century
Copper alloy
10.3 cm long, 4 cm long

Debira pendants are the plastic expression of the Torfan. He is a spiritual entity who can manifest himself in many forms, such as a 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.

Reference : 4133