The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of August 12, 2026

A tall iron staff is pointed at the bottom end. The top features a bird with a long, arched neck facing right. Three tiers of conical bells are spaced along the slender rod, interspersed with two thin arms curving upward with oval ends, a rectangular platform holding small figures, and a large crescent shape. The dark metal is rusted with a rough, pitted texture.

Staff

c. 1950s

Africa, West Africa, Nigeria, Yorùbá-style maker

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: Not on view

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.
  • {{cite web|title=Staff|url=false|author=|year=c. 1950s |access-date=12 August 2026|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2007.186