Baule Farmer's Staff, Based

Among the Baule, a good harvest earned a good staff. Skilled cultivators were honored with them, and the staffs were displayed with pride.

This one was carved of wood in the 20th century, and it rises about thirty-four and a half inches. A long round shaft is broken by a carved ring and a small notched band near the top. The finial stacks small figures above an open loop, faces and limbs in a compact, columnar style. The wood is reddish brown, darker in patches, worn and deepened by handling.

A farmer’s reward, slender as a stalk of millet. Lean it by the door and see who notices.