Terra cotta vessel by the Mossi people of Burkina Faso, West Africa

Open Carefully!

Humankind has always feared dangerous animals found in the wild. Yet, go beyond major urban centers to places where these creatures are encountered every day, and you may discover fear has been replaced by reverence. This is precisely the case among the Mossi People of Burkina Faso, West Africa, where snakes such as vipers, adders, and the mythic black mamba are respectfully regarded as protective spirits and honored in their artwork.

Serpent motifs in Mossi artworks are symbolic of protective spirits

This week’s New Arrival features a terra cotta vessel from the Mossi People. Coiled around the jar in an engaging zigzag pattern is a snake, its head resting on the lid. In the world of African pottery, the Mossi are famous for creating collectible vessels laden with symbolism and meaning. No one can be sure what this pot contained, but it had to be something significant – some substance requiring protection by a spirit they live with every day.

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