Ritual staff "edan oshugbo" and two ceremonial poker "iwana ogun"

Description

iron, a) ritual staff “edan oshugbo”, janushead with “ogboni” crescents on the forehead, bell-like head, rep. (breakage), strong traces of corrosion in some areas, missing part, l: 34,5 cm; b) ceremonial poker, l: 59,5 cm; c) ceremonial poker, l: 41,5 cm, strong traces of corrosion; handle of each poker in shape of a sitting male figure with fly whisk, elaborate coiffure and beard;
a) “edan staffs were important ritual objects of “ogboni” society; b/c) the pokers were used for the making of “edan”; decorated examples, like the present, served as dignitary staffs of the blacksmiths and as legitimation for delivering messages.