The staff supports the figure of a young maiden in her prime sitting on a stool, her body is decorated with keloids and her face bears scarification, strings of tiny beads adorn her neck and waist, she wears an elaborate hairstyle, an iron point is mounted at the distal end of the staff. Overall dark surface, lighter at the high points. With a serene expression she embodies all the qualities both physical and moral that are valued in Senufo society. This form of staff was awarded to champion cultivators, heroes of the soil who produced the food that sustained the group. The seated figure is 11" h., the whole is 52", standing on a custom metal base.From a Harrison, NY Estate