Sceptre "ipawo ase" ·  Nigeria, Yoruba · ID: 3036113

Description

brass, open worked ending, crowned by a human janus head, both faces nearly identical, min. dam., slight traces of corrosion, base;
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 3036113 was last part of the auction 76th tribal art auction at March 22, 2014 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 507.

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Comparing literature

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