Lot: 250

85th Tribal Art Auction

Rattle staff "ukhurhe"

Nigeria, Benin

Provenance Size Starting price / estimated price
Gerhard de Vos, Dormagen, Germany
Hans Reinmöller, Ratingen, Germany (1996)
H: 44.1 inch 250 EUR
plus 27 % commission, VAT, transport and insurance

wood, brown patina, crowned by a human head, min. dam., insect caused missing parts, traces of abrasion, base;
rattle staffs "ukhurhe" are part of the basic equipment of Benin ancestor altars. They are used to get into contact with the spiritual sphere. After the fathers decease it is the task of the eldest son to order such a staff to be carved and to deposit it among the others on the ancestors shrine. In this way the deceased joins the community of the ancestors.


Duchateau, Armand, Benin, München, New York 1995, p. 88, ill. 87 f.