Prestige staff by the "Baboon master", late 19th century ·  South Africa, Tsonga · ID: 3042405

Description

wood, beautiful shiny reddish brown patina, accents in black paint, standing male figure with elongated upper part of the body, thin arms carved in flat relief, carved with headring, beard and loincloth, abrasion of paint (left arm);
the headring symbolized age and status among the Tsonga while among Zulu-speaking groups it was a sign of marriage.

Comparing literature

Conru, Kevin (ed.), The Art of Southeast Africa, Milan 2002, p. 99, ill. 42 g.

Publications

AHDRC: 0142323