A Gan pendant, Burkina Faso, Banfora region. Incl stand. The Gan pendant from the Banfora region of southwestern Burkina Faso is a distinctive piece of cast metalwork associated with the Gan people, a small but culturally rich group known for their sophisticated bronze casting traditions. These pendants, often made of brass or bronze using the lost-wax casting technique, typically depict stylized human or zoomorphic forms, sometimes combining both in a single, composite figure. The motifs—such as riders on horses, mythic animals, or ancestral figures—are deeply symbolic and tied to Gan beliefs about protection, authority, and the spiritual world. Unlike purely decorative ornaments, Gan pendants often served as amulets or status symbols, worn by chiefs, spiritual leaders, or initiated individuals. They were believed to embody spiritual power (nyama) and offer protection against misfortune or malevolent forces. Their intricate designs reflect not only technical mastery but also an oral tradition where symbolism is key; for example, a rider may symbolize leadership or ancestral guidance, while animal features might represent traits like strength or vigilance. These pendants are unique within West African art due to their fusion of abstract and figurative elements, and they are rare because the Gan have preserved their metalcasting traditions in relative isolation, even as neighboring groups adopted other artistic forms. Today, Gan pendants are valued both as spiritual objects and as remarkable examples of indigenous African metallurgy. References: Roy, Christopher D. Art of the Upper Volta Rivers. Alain and Francoise Chaffin, 1987. Himmelheber, Hans. Negerkunst und Negerkünstler. F. Bruckmann, 1960. Elliott, David. Art of Burkina Faso. Indiana University Press, 1984. Height: 20 cm without stand