West Africa, Nigeria, Yoruba culture, ca. early 20th century CE. An intriguing ceremonial wooden staff known as an ose Shango depicting a stylized woman kneeling atop an integral circular plinth. The woman is nude with large belly button, and her hands grasp her conical breasts. Her stylized visage consists of expressive eyes that are drilled in the center, a prominent nose, full lips, and cupped ears, with ritualistic scarification or tattoos on her cheeks. On top of her plaited coiffure is an elaborate headdress of a double axe finial with incised rows of squares on one face and concentric lines on the other side. The double axe symbol pertains to thunderstones, the sources of destructive power of the thunder god Shango. Beneath her plinth is a cylindrical handle with a suspension loop. The wood is a warm brown with a polished surface. Size: 1.75" W x 11.125" H (4.4 cm x 28.3 cm); 11.675" H (29.7 cm) on included custom stand.

An ose Shango like this example is a ceremonial staff used when honoring the god Shango (also Jakuta), a royal ancestor of the Yoruba people who was the third king (alafin) of the Oyo Kingdom. Shango, the god of thunder and lightning who also associates with virility and justice, is generally revered as one of the most powerful Yoruba leaders and subsequently one of their most powerful gods as he was deified after his death. Shango staves are carried and danced with by members of the Shango cult to pay their respects while providing offerings for safety and security.

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-collection of Dr. Edward A. Spiegel (1931-2020) professor of astronomy at New York University and Columbia University who worked on convection theory and on the application of fluid dynamics to astrophysics and was the first to discover Chaos Theory. As a professor, students enjoyed his accounts of his meetings with other famous scientists such as Paul Dirac and Stephen Hawking.

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#161321

Nicks, chips, and losses due to old inactive insect holes and cavities. Pressure cracks and fissures. Nice smooth patina.