This Lot contains two very old forged iron staffs from the Yoruba peoples. The Yoruba believe the power of Osanyin is vested in a wrought iron staff, called an Osanyin staff, that is placed on altars to this Orisha. The staff is composed of a circle of small birds and a shaft in the middle that elevates a large bird above smaller ones. Yoruba herbalists enlist the aid of the god of divination, Osanyin, or the god of medicine, Erinle, in their work against mental and physical illness caused by supernaturally evil people. According to the Yoruba: These people change into birds at night to extract fluids and spirit from individuals. A staff of birds refers to the herbalist’s understanding of and power over these malevolent people. This lot contains 2 staffs of wrought iron and the tallest measures 13.5 inches tall x 5 inches wide, and is well weathered and worn. There is no display stand included, only used for photography purposes. Yoruba peoples, Nigeria. Provenance: Ex Collection Evan Maurer, noted historian and author, CA , USA.

fair, well weathered