African Beaded Snake-Form Candle Holder – Yoruba Style Tribal Art
Striking and vibrant, this African beaded candle holder takes the dynamic form of a coiled snake, a sacred and symbolic creature in many West African cultures. Crafted using a traditional wire and clay core wrapped in multi-coloured glass seed beads, the piece is decorated in bold bands of red, yellow, black, white, and blue. A small spout at the top allows it to function as a candle holder or oil lamp.
Key Features:
Origin: West Africa (likely Yoruba, Nigeria)
Material: Beads, cloth, clay core, and wire base
Form: Coiled snake with open mouth and applied beading throughout
Colours: Multi-coloured – red, yellow, white, black, blue
Function: Candle holder or ceremonial lamp (hole on top for insertion)
25cm high approx
Condition:
Very good tribal art condition. Beads are mostly intact with some expected minor losses and rubbing. Base shows signs of age and ritual or display use, consistent with authenticity.
Cultural Notes:
Beaded objects such as this are often associated with royal or ceremonial use among the Yoruba and other African ethnic groups. The snake is a common symbol of protection, fertility, and transformation. Pieces like this may have been used in shrines, as offerings, or during ritual performances.
Display & Collectability:
A unique and visually engaging piece of African tribal art—ideal for collectors of ethnographic items, folk art, or beaded ceremonial works. It also makes a bold statement in eclectic or contemporary interiors.
Internal Reference: 28-256
Antique Number: SA1152277
Dateline of this antique is 1900
Height is 25cm (9.8inches)
Width is 0cm (0.0inches)
Depth is 0cm (0.0inches)
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