Antique Lobi Iron Snake on Custom Stand
Antique Lobi Iron Snake on Custom Stand. Minimalist in its form, with patina consistent with age. This most likely was a leg ornament. Lobi iron snakes are symbolic iron sculptures crafted by the Lobi people of West Africa. These intricate, coiled snake figures are not merely decorative but hold spiritual significance. They are often associated with protection, healing, and communication with ancestral spirits. The Lobi believe that snakes are powerful mediators between the physical and spiritual worlds, and these iron sculptures are used in rituals, placed in shrines, or carried as talismans to ward off evil and bring blessings.
Size: 12.5”H x 3.75”W x 2.5”D
Provenance: G.D. Thomas Wheelock Collection, New York, NY
Thomas G.D. Wheelock was a dedicated collector of African art, with a particular focus on the artistic traditions of Burkina Faso. His mission extended beyond mere acquisition; he sought to both celebrate and preserve the rich cultural heritage of the region. Wheelock placed great value on the relationships he cultivated with local artists and communities, often traveling to Africa to engage directly with them. His efforts resulted in a profound connection to the cultural practices and artistic expressions of the region.
Wheelock’s collection, amassed over more than thirty years, grew to include over 1,700 pieces, making it one of the most extensive and significant collections of its kind. Four of these works are now part of the permanent collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, while other pieces have been loaned to prestigious institutions, including the High Museum in Atlanta.
The importance of Wheelock’s collection was further cemented with the publication of the rare and influential book, Land of the Flying Masks: Art and Culture in Burkina Faso; The Thomas G.B. Wheelock Collection. This publication highlights hundreds of exceptional works from the Nuna, Bwa, Bobo, and Mossi peoples, as well as notable pieces from the Lobi, Gurunsi, Winiama, and Lela communities. Through his collection and its documentation, Wheelock has left an enduring legacy that continues to honor and preserve the artistic traditions of Burkina Faso.
Antique Lobi Iron Snake on Custom Stand. Minimalist in its form, with patina consistent with age. This most likely was a leg ornament. Lobi iron snakes are symbolic iron sculptures crafted by the Lobi people of West Africa. These intricate, coiled snake figures are not merely decorative but hold spiritual significance. They are often associated with protection, healing, and communication with ancestral spirits. The Lobi believe that snakes are powerful mediators between the physical and spiritual worlds, and these iron sculptures are used in rituals, placed in shrines, or carried as talismans to ward off evil and bring blessings.
Size: 12.5”H x 3.75”W x 2.5”D
Provenance: G.D. Thomas Wheelock Collection, New York, NY
Thomas G.D. Wheelock was a dedicated collector of African art, with a particular focus on the artistic traditions of Burkina Faso. His mission extended beyond mere acquisition; he sought to both celebrate and preserve the rich cultural heritage of the region. Wheelock placed great value on the relationships he cultivated with local artists and communities, often traveling to Africa to engage directly with them. His efforts resulted in a profound connection to the cultural practices and artistic expressions of the region.
Wheelock’s collection, amassed over more than thirty years, grew to include over 1,700 pieces, making it one of the most extensive and significant collections of its kind. Four of these works are now part of the permanent collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, while other pieces have been loaned to prestigious institutions, including the High Museum in Atlanta.
The importance of Wheelock’s collection was further cemented with the publication of the rare and influential book, Land of the Flying Masks: Art and Culture in Burkina Faso; The Thomas G.B. Wheelock Collection. This publication highlights hundreds of exceptional works from the Nuna, Bwa, Bobo, and Mossi peoples, as well as notable pieces from the Lobi, Gurunsi, Winiama, and Lela communities. Through his collection and its documentation, Wheelock has left an enduring legacy that continues to honor and preserve the artistic traditions of Burkina Faso.
Antique Lobi Iron Snake on Custom Stand. Minimalist in its form, with patina consistent with age. This most likely was a leg ornament. Lobi iron snakes are symbolic iron sculptures crafted by the Lobi people of West Africa. These intricate, coiled snake figures are not merely decorative but hold spiritual significance. They are often associated with protection, healing, and communication with ancestral spirits. The Lobi believe that snakes are powerful mediators between the physical and spiritual worlds, and these iron sculptures are used in rituals, placed in shrines, or carried as talismans to ward off evil and bring blessings.
Size: 12.5”H x 3.75”W x 2.5”D
Provenance: G.D. Thomas Wheelock Collection, New York, NY
Thomas G.D. Wheelock was a dedicated collector of African art, with a particular focus on the artistic traditions of Burkina Faso. His mission extended beyond mere acquisition; he sought to both celebrate and preserve the rich cultural heritage of the region. Wheelock placed great value on the relationships he cultivated with local artists and communities, often traveling to Africa to engage directly with them. His efforts resulted in a profound connection to the cultural practices and artistic expressions of the region.
Wheelock’s collection, amassed over more than thirty years, grew to include over 1,700 pieces, making it one of the most extensive and significant collections of its kind. Four of these works are now part of the permanent collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, while other pieces have been loaned to prestigious institutions, including the High Museum in Atlanta.
The importance of Wheelock’s collection was further cemented with the publication of the rare and influential book, Land of the Flying Masks: Art and Culture in Burkina Faso; The Thomas G.B. Wheelock Collection. This publication highlights hundreds of exceptional works from the Nuna, Bwa, Bobo, and Mossi peoples, as well as notable pieces from the Lobi, Gurunsi, Winiama, and Lela communities. Through his collection and its documentation, Wheelock has left an enduring legacy that continues to honor and preserve the artistic traditions of Burkina Faso.
