Dance staff "oshe shango"

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Description

wood, insect caused damage, base

Two comparable staffs collected by Frobenius in 1912, illustrated by Krieger (Vol. I, 1978, pl. 52 & 53 b).

They show similarities with the present staff in formal structure, geometric decoration and especially in the design of the heads (physiognomy, scarification and hairstyle).

This style was associated by early research with the Ibadan artist Amos Lafia of Idi Aro (b. ca.1892).

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Comparing literature

Krieger, Kurt, Westafrikanische Plastik, Bd. I, Berlin 1978, plate 52 &53 b Drewal, Henry John, African Artistry, Atlanta 1980, p. 30

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