Sceptre "ipawo ase" ·  Nigeria, Yoruba · ID: 3038176

Description

brass, square base adorned with small bells, triangular head with “ogboni” scarification marks and conical headgear, min. dam., small missing parts (bells), traces of corrosion, base;
such staffs, 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 3038176 was last part of the auction 79th Tribal Art Auction at March 21, 2015 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 328 achieved a sales price of EUR 1,150.

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Publications

Dobbelmann, Th.A.H.M., Der Ogboni-Geheimbund, Berg en Dal 1976, ill. 85