Dignitary staff with anthropomorphic head

Description

wood, blackish brown patina, unusual: the coiffure as well as the facial plane are entirely coated by fine linear incisions, unreadable remains of an old collection label at the shaft, slightly dam. (coiffure), scratches, abrasion of paint;
the Mbundus (Ovimbundu) homeland is centered on the Benguela Plateau, bordering to the east on Chokwe land. Their art works are heavily influenced by these neighbours. Masks are not known but their sculptures are mainly known by their pipes and staffs with female heads or figures which depict “nana yakoma”, the guardian of the holy fire - sacred objects of the old Ovimbundu chiefs.