Ankle Bracelet With Three Butterflies, Gan, Gaoua Region, Burkina Faso, 19th Century

Important ankle bracelet with three butterflies

Culture: Gan, Gaoua region, Burkina Faso
Period: 19th century
Material: Bronze with a brown patina, signs of wear and age, a few small traces of green oxidation.
In good overall condition.
Dimensions: H. 11.3 cm – Diam. 9.5 cm

This significant ankle bracelet is adorned with three butterflies depicted in flight, their wings spread wide and crisscrossed with fine concentric lines. Their high-relief modeling powerfully animates the surface of the bronze. Friezes of concentric semicircles, wavy patterns, and braided cord motifs compose a richly rhythmic design.

"Among the Gan, neighbors of the Lobi, metalwork is one of the most accomplished forms of artistic expression. Cast using the lost-wax technique by specialized blacksmiths, these ornaments could symbolize prestige, identity, and a protective dimension. Without attributing a overly specific ritual meaning to it, the butterfly may evoke transformation and renewal. Repeated three times, this motif gives the anklet a rare, almost ethereal sculptural presence, contrasting with the power of its form."
* Sold with a certificate of authenticity and an invoice from Galerie Ocarina.
* Shipping costs upon request