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This staff has been vetted as authentic, with evidence of age and use.
The works below have been sold and are left here for educational and research purposes.
***Exhibited at Fleisher/Ollman Gallery, Philadelphia
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Photographs © Hamill Gallery
YORUBA, OSANYIN HEALING STAFFS, Nigeria
These iron staffs, surmounted by birds and dedicated to Osanyin, deity of herbal medicine, promoted healing and discouraged witchcraft. The birds honor the powers of elderly women, who could transform themselves into birds, to gain their support in the healing. The staffs were placed in the ground next to the ailing person. Prices include bases.
Certainly non-traditional in form, staffs 39 and 40 may not be Osanyin staffs, and for a completely different purpose.
GO TO YORUBA OSANYIN ARCHIVES PAGE
GO TO METALWORKS EXHIBITION PAGE
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