Speaker's staff "okyeame poma"
Ghana, Akan / Ashanti
sold
EUR 800
Provenance
Heinz Kolerski, Fellbach, GermanySize
H: 31,3 cm
H: 12.3 inch
Description
wood, covered with gold leaf, two separate carved figures, fixed on half-spherical base with short staff-like projection and nodus, covered by fluted decor, slightly dam., gold leaf missing in smaller areas, base.
The spokesmen known as “okyeame” carry a staff “poma” as a staff of office that is surmounted by a sculpted motif that puts into visual form a proverb or a saying or a historical event or political statement that the ruler and the state wish to be known. The spokesmen advise the king on tradtional law, speak for him in public and act as ambassadors when needed.