Description:

Western Africa, Nigeria, Yoruba peoples, ca. early 20th century CE. A carved wooden figural finial for a ceremonial staff honoring Shango (also known as Jakuta), a royal ancestor of the Yoruba who was the third king (Alafin) of the Oyo Kingdom, is generally revered as one of the most powerful Yoruba leaders, and was deified after his death. This piece depicts a kneeling female figure - a worshipper of Shango - with drooping breasts, facial scarification marks, and a plaited coiffure colored with natural indigo pigment; various other parts of the body display similar blue coloration. The upper portion resembles a dual-headed axe blade with incised linear and geometric motifs on both sides. A staff like this is called an "Ose Shango" staff, carried and danced with by members of the Shango cult. Comes with custom wooden display stand. Size: 17.25" H (43.8 cm); 19.25" H (48.9 cm) on included custom stand.

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

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#130801

  • Condition: Age-commensurate surface wear, loss to one arm, and small losses throughout body and axe head. Fading to applied pigmentation, and small hairline fissures, otherwise very good. Nice earthen and mineral deposits as well as remnants of blue pigmentation throughout.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

March 1, 2018 7:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 24.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000