Description:

Africa, Benin, 19th century CE. This is a bronze rattle staff (ukhurke/ukhure) decorated with abstract animorphic faces and made to be held by its long attached iron handle. There are rings of bronze pierced through the sides to create noise. Ukhurke are common artifacts from Benin, but the vast majority of them are made of wood -- bronze ones like this one would have been made for and belonged to elites. These items were kept in large numbers on family ancestral altars, and on altars to ancestor cults like the Ovia cult. They would be shaken or banged on the ground for emphasis during religious rituals; they were also carried by masked performers during masquerades. Size: 2.5" W x 12" H (6.4 cm x 30.5 cm)

Provenance: Ex-Adeon Gallery, Nick Poolos, Chicago, IL, acquired before 1975

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#113391

  • Condition: Expected wear and corrosion, but intact with all details clear.

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April 20, 2016 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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