Massive dance wand "oshe shango"
Nigeria, Yoruba
not available anymore
Provenance
Swiss Private CollectionBernd 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.
Publications
AHDRC: 0104852