Chief's staff with anthropomorphic half figure

Description

wood, reddish brown patina, black pigment, extremely fine carved regular facial features, linear scarification marks and concentrical grooves, characteristic coiffure in two plaits, slightly dam., crack on the backside, abrasion of paint, metal base;
such dignitary staffs belong to the most valuable possession of the old Ovimbundu chiefs. The female half figure depicts “nana yakoma”, the guardian of the holy fire.