Massive dance wand "oshe shango" · Nigeria, Yoruba · ID: 3043527
Bernd Muhlack, Kiel, Germany
Helga Redlich, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Zemanek-Münster, Würzburg, 26 November 2005, lot 236
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.
The object Massive dance wand “oshe shango” with the object ID 3043527 was last part of the auction 88th Tribal Art Auction at March 10, 2018 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 315.
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AHDRC: 0104852