Speaker's staff "okyeame poma" ·  Ghana, Akan · ID: 3043594

Description

wood, covered with gold leaf, depicting a weaver bird at his nest, min. dam., slight traces of abrasion, 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.

The object Speaker’s staff “okyeame poma” with the object ID 3043594 was part of the auction 88th Tribal Art Auction on March 10, 2018. The object with the lot number 236 achieved a sales price of EUR 1,700 with an asking price of EUR 1,500.

Here you will find more objects and interesting facts about African art.

Comparing literature

Cole, Herbert M. & Doran H. Ross, The Arts of Ghana, Los Angeles 1977, p. 163

Publications

AHDRC: 0150486