Sceptre "ipawo ase" ·  Nigeria, Yoruba · ID: 3035260

Description

brass with patina, open worked ending, crowned by a human janus head, both faces nearly identical, min. dam., slight traces of corrosion;
staffs like this, known as “ipawo ashe” or “scepters of vital force”, can be used by anyone with sufficient authority and vital force, i. e. district chiefs, priests, “oshugbo” elders and kings. These hand-held ceremonial staffs were used to greet those present and impose silence during gatherings.

The object Sceptre “ipawo ase” with the object ID 3035260 was last part of the auction 74th tribal art auction at September 7, 2013 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 275 achieved a sales price of EUR 700.

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Comparing literature

Dobbelmann, Th.A.H.M., Der Ogboni-Geheimbund, Berg en Dal 1976, ill. 83 ff.