Gan Bronze Pendant: Depiction of Flattened Serpent

Slim boat-shaped pendant with a spiral and dots, ending in a pointed beak.

This bronze pendant depicting a flattened serpent is Gan, from Burkina Faso, West Africa, and dates to the 20th century. Serpents appear in the art of many West African peoples and are generally associated with water, protection or the power of the earth. Long narrow cast piece with a rounded top loop, spiral and dot motifs along the body, and a ridged band near the tail that tapers to a beak-like point. The dark brown metal has a worn, rubbed finish. It is 1 inches wide, 0.5 deep and 6.13 high.

Sleek, spotted and gone in a straight line.