Description:

West Africa, Nigeria, Yoruba people, early 20th century CE. A tall iron staff with long bells on its lower part and capped by a bird finial atop a thin round disk. Below the disk is an upside-down group of four bells with a round ball below them. The bird has a thin, arched neck and a large body, like a form of guinea fowl or pheasant. Rather than being a solid piece, the bird's body is formed of long, folded strips of iron with flat sheets forming the wings. The patina on the wings has gained a beautiful purple iridescence. Size: 6" W x 47" H (15.2 cm x 119.4 cm)

Birds have a special significance to the Yoruba, representing the triumph of good over evil, and staffs of this kind are called Osun babalawo.

See a similar staff at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (1991.375.4).

Provenance: Adeon Gallery, Chicago, Illinois, USA, acquired prior to 1970

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#119084

  • Condition: Nice iron patina on surface, with slight bends to form as shown. Tip is bent.

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May 30, 2017 10:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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