Southern Africa, Angola, Ovimbundu, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. A special scepter, perhaps once belonging to an Ovimbundu chief, finely carved from a hard wood, with an anthropomorphic finial, a long cylindrical body, and a flat, circular foot. The finial depicts an ovoid head with a stylized visage of petite, wide-set eyes beneath arched brows, a rectangular nose, an open mouth, and a round chin, all flanked by a pair of semi-circular ears. A horizontally striated headband sits at the top of the forehead, pulling back a coiffure of 2 braids that connect into an openwork loop on the verso. Several strands of hair are carefully delineated by incised lines throughout the coiffure. Size: 2.6" L x 1.5" W x 24.1" H (6.6 cm x 3.8 cm x 61.2 cm); 25.3" H (64.3 cm) on included custom stand.

According to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, "The broad expanse of open savanna in southern Democratic Republic of the Congo and northern Angola witnessed the rise of several wealthy and powerful states during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. In these societies art objects are made to show the power of the chief. Chokwe chiefs and those of related peoples, such as the Songo and Ovimbundu, possess many articles--chairs, stools, ceremonial weapons, staffs of office, even tobacco pipes--elaborately carved with figures and scenes of village life. Careful attention is paid to accurate depiction of tattoo marks, coiffures, and headdresses…"

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-private Maine, USA collection

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#169344

Fissure with minor loss to area where braids connect. Some small nicks and abrasions. Otherwise, intact and excellent with great patina.