Yoruba Ogboni Ceremonial Staff, Based

The Ogboni attend to the earth. Its members, senior men and women of the Yoruba, have long signaled their standing in brass and copper.

This cast metal staff was made for the society in Nigeria in the 20th century. A single figure stands atop an iron spike. Large almond eyes. Hands drawn up to the chest. A conical headdress ending in a small loop. The knees bulge forward, and a raised collar ring joins figure to shaft. The dark olive-bronze patina is brightened by wear at the high points.

Eight and a half inches. Small, upright, and very sure of itself.