Ceremonial staff "recade" · Benin, Fon · ID: 3042896
Description
wood, dark brown patina, metal, crowned by a dog head with narrow blade attached to the underside, spiral decorative element, min. dam., slight traces of abrasion and corrosion.
“Recades” developed from war axes. The “ricade” symbolizes the authority of its owner. The messenger of the king carried the veiled staff on his shoulder, first uncovering it in presence of the receiver of the message, in order to seal the dispatch.
The object Ceremonial staff “recade” with the object ID 3042896 was last part of the auction 87th Tribal Art Auction at November 11, 2017 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 284.
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