H x W x D: 84.3 x 23.5 x 23.5 cm (33 3/16 x 9 1/4 x 9 1/4 in.)
Type:
Sculpture
Geography:
Nigeria
Date:
Early to mid-20th century
Label Text:
Among the Yoruba, a large bird in the center of a gathering of birds symbolizes the ability to control supernatural forces and the power of good subduing evil. This iron staff represents the power of the herbalist, a priest of the gods of healing, Osanyin and Erinle.
On this staff, the bird is blatantly male, and with four legs and a curving tail, it probably represents a combination of the bird image with that of the chameleon, a symbol of transformation.
Description:
Iron staff with central figure of four legged male bird-chameleon like creature with upward turned club tail. Below the central figure's feet is a circle of fifteen birds facing inwards and one four-legged larger bird on a spike. The support rod of each bird is wrapped around the circle.
Provenance:
Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Cohan, Riverdale, New York, -- to 1984
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