Massive dance wand "oshe shango" · Nigeria, Yoruba · ID: 3043527

Name: Massive dance wand "oshe shango"
SKU: 3043527
Availability: Discontinued

not available anymore

Provenance

Swiss Private Collection
Bernd Muhlack, Kiel, Germany
Helga Redlich, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Zemanek-Münster, Würzburg, 26 November 2005, lot 236

Size

H: 74 cm

H: 29.1 inch

Description

heavy wood, partly encrusted polychrome patina, crowning double axe extremely massive and expanding in form, carved with plaited band pattern, min. dam., small chips, fine cracks, slight traces of abrasion, base.
Such staffs serve as altar decoration and dance regalia to honour the thundergod “shango”. The double blade motif is a stylized refererence to the thundercelts or neolithic axes believed to be hurled from the skies by “shango”. The double-bladed axe “edun ara” is, therefore, a primary symbol of “shangos” presence and power.