Ceremonial staff "opa orisa oko"
Click here to view a larger version of the imageLot: 259
96th AuctionCeremonial staff "opa orisa oko"
Nigeria, Yoruba
Provenance | Size | Starting price / estimated price |
---|---|---|
L: 59.8 inch | This object is not available anymore. |
metal, wood, glass beads,
These sacred staffs are dedicated to the agricultural deity "oko". They are referred to as the "staff" or "walking stick" of the deity.
They were made exclusively by the blacksmiths of Irawo, as only they had the secret knowledge necessary to create these sacred emblems.
When not in use, they were kept in precious beaded sheaths "ewu" and placed at shrines.
Drewal, Henry John & John Pemberton, Yoruba, New York 1989, p. 169, ill. 187