Hand-Carved Wooden Snake with Burned Markings

Hand-Carved Wooden Snake with Burned Markings

Approx. 65cm long | 6cm wide
Western & Central Desert Collection

REF#CWD470

This beautifully hand-carved wooden snake features detailed burned markings creating depth, movement and character. At approximately 65cm in length, it is a striking statement piece that carries cultural symbolism.

While the individual artist is unknown, the piece reflects the enduring cultural significance of Aboriginal Dreaming stories.

Across many Aboriginal cultures — including those of the Western and Central Desert and parts of South Australia where most of our collection was sourced — ancestral serpent beings hold deep significance within Tjukurrpa (Dreaming/Law). Serpent beings are often connected to water sources, rain, underground springs and the shaping of Country. Their journeys across the land form creation tracks, linking people, place and Law.

In desert regions especially, snake Dreaming stories are closely tied to water, a sacred and life-giving force in arid Country. These stories are place-based and belong to specific custodians, forming part of a living cultural system that continues today.

Though the individual artist of this carving is unknown, the snake motif reflects a powerful and enduring symbol within Western Desert cultural expression. The burned detailing enhances the sense of movement and story, celebrating traditional craftsmanship and connection to natural materials.

This piece makes a meaningful addition to any collection — inviting strength, grounding and connection to the ancient cultural landscapes of Australia’s desert regions.

How It’s Made:
This hand-carved wooden snake is enhanced with traditional burned markings. Artists carefully use a heated tool to burn patterns into the wood, creating depth, texture, and symbolic designs. The technique not only highlights the natural grain but also reflects cultural storytelling, connecting the piece to ancestral tracks, water, and Country.