Photographs © Hamill Gallery
YORUBA, EDAN STAFF 6, 8" high, $800
This staff has been vetted as authentic.
In addition to a large and varied collection of iron currencies, gongs, bells and Osanyin healing staffs, the Yoruba also have cast figures and staffs, most from the Ogboni Society of elders. Dedicated to Onile, "the owner of the earth", they are referred to as Onile figures and in other forms as Edan staffs. Although called "bronzes" they are usually various copper alloys, made by the lost wax process.
Edan Staffs, male & female, were usually linked together by a chain, and were used ritually by the association. This is a maternity figure showing a mother with two children.
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