Staff/scepter (Ọgọ Eṣu), wood, handcarved; cane handle shape; stylized human face carved into proximal end of handle and near center of staff in low relief; flared out distal end; height 48.0 cm; width (at handle) 5.5 cm.
Donor:
Berta Bascom
Collection place:
Nigeria
Verbatim coll. place:
West Africa, S. W. Nigeria, Yoruba; Purchased from Saja Tunkara
Culture or time period:
Yoruba
Collector:
Berta Bascom and William Russell Bascom
Collection date:
1970
Materials:
Pigment and Wood (plant material)
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Carvings (visual works)
Function:
3.1 Status Objects and Insignia of Office
Context of use:
Yoruba 'Eshu' staff (specifically an ọgọ Eṣu). Purchased for $125 in 1970 from Saja Tunkara.
Department:
Africa (except Ancient Egypt)
Dimensions:
width 5.5 centimeters and height 48 centimeters
Comment:
Fide J. Lorand Matory (12/14/2017): "5-15491 is specifically an ọgọ Eṣu—a staff/scepter carried by a priest of Eṣu (Eshu).