Staff

Staff

c. 1950s

Iron

Overall: 117 x 14 x 10 cm (46 1/16 x 5 1/2 x 3 15/16 in.)

Gift of Arthur Olson 2007.186

Location

Description

The bird on the top of the staff has been interpreted as a hawk by one Yoruba diviner. The hawk's power, speed, and tenacity are metaphors for the abilities of the diviner as he confronts the various forces operating in the Yoruba universe in order to guide his clients to lives of fulfillment.

See also
Collection: 
African Art
Department: 
African Art
Type of artwork: 
Sculpture
Medium: 
Iron
Credit line: 
Gift of Arthur Olson

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