A Gan bronze figure(Torfan), with both ends having three headed snakes, collected in the Gaouoa region of Burkina Faso. Oxidized, signs of ritual use and age.

Gan snake-bronze figures—crafted by the Gan (also known as Kaa or Kaaba) people of southwestern Burkina Faso—are unique ritual objects cast using the lost-wax technique. They typically depict snakes or snake-like spirits called Torfan or Debira, and embody powerful protective and divinatory functions.
The Gan view the snake as a potent protective force—guarding individuals, homes, and livestock from evil, illness, and supernatural threats. These bronzes were placed on shrines or worn as amulets during travel or battle
Figures with combined human and snake forms symbolize a connection to ancestral or spiritual worlds. For instance, a snake with a human rider signifies an intermediary entity bridging both realms
Torfan figures often display multiple heads—ranging from one to ten—used by Gan healers/fetish priests for divination. These serpents can manifest in various animal forms and hold deep spiritual power.

Reference:
Daniela Bognolo, Les Gan du Burkina Faso (2010) — includes symbolic discussion of snake iconography.
“Sous le signe du serpent chez les Gan voltaiques” in Arts & Cultures (2005).

sold

Height: 28 cm without stand
Weight: 250 g incl. stand