a ring that comes from Burkina Faso - a vintage ring that...

Material and technique: It is cast in bronze (copper alloy) using the ancestral lost-wax method. This technique typical of West Africa makes each piece unique. Form: The object consists of a simple ring topped by an imposing sculpted protrusion. Zoömorphic iconography: The upper part represents a stylized animal with a curved body. Its geometric details and incisions strongly recall the silhouette of a crocodile (or caiman) or a chameleon, figures recurring in the art of the Gan, Lobi or Bobo ethnic groups. Cultural and symbolic role In the cultures of Burkina Faso, these bulky rings go beyond mere jewelry: Spiritual protection: They often serve as amulets of protection or talismans to ward off misfortune and win the favor of nature spirits. Social status: Worn by chiefs, diviners or notables, they attest to the authority and rank of their owner within the community.

Estimate:$14.56

View all items fromCatawikiorEthnographic