Serpent Currency

Origin: Lobi Tribe, Burkina Faso
Composition: lost wax-cast bronze

Lobi arts include a wide variety of small human and animal images, implements, and more abstract symbols in bronze, copper alloy, and iron. Some of these are worn as jewelry-ordered by a deity and for the most part protective-and some appear on shrines. Their iconography is not fully known, but at least some of these small sculptures have fairly specific work to do for their owners.

Small human figures of iron or brass fight against witches, sorcerers, or other invisible dangers, while chameleons bring riches and prosperity. Snakes appear in many sizes and are worn on different parts of the body-for example, strapped to the lower legs, or worn as bracelets or chest ornaments. Snakes are common "workers" for the thila (the protective deities), and serve many offensive and defensive roles (Passage from Visona, "A History of Art In Africa").

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