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Object Number
11-46-50/83072
Display Title
Ceremonial staff
Descriptions
Object Description
Wooden staff with a face and club handle.
The object is a ceremonial staff (club-shaped) carved from a single piece of dense wood. Located at the top of the staff is an elongated head having large circular eyes and a small nose and mouth. Behind the head are two curved panels that are incised with lines creating simple geometric patterns. A bulbous shape also incised with lines appear below the head. A pair of three copper alloy medallions decorate line the sides of curved panels. Two copper alloy medallions have also been placed between the incised bulb and the lower section of the staff. A hole pierced completely though the base of the handle.
Indentifying numbers:
A Peabody Museum number has been applied to the base of the staff in white and red ink.
Inventory Description
Carved wooden staff, short, human face, incised, brass tacks.
Classification
- Staff
Department
Ethnographic
Culture
- Umbundu
- Chokwe
Geography/Provenience/Site Name
Africa
/
Angola
Additional Geographic Terms
Benquilla, 300 mi east of
Materials
Wood, Brass, Copper alloy
Dimensions
Overall: 46.5 x 6 x 6 cm (18 5/16 x 2 3/8 x 2 3/8 in.)
Quantity
1
Label on object
11-46-50/83072
Provenance
Collector
Rev. Henry A. Neipp
(1906-10 - 1911)
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