Staff of Office : 2014.1.105

Title:

Staff of Office, Axe

Object Name:

Staff of Office

Other Name:

Staff of Office, Axe

Place of Origin:

Mbala, Republic of Congo, Africa

Provenance:

Aboriginal Indigenous Art.
H = 28"
W = 10"
D = 1—1/2"

The fame of the Mbala people rests on their production of a red pigment, called Tukula, from which their name, 'the red people', emanates.
Among chiefs' possessions were maternity figures and other figures depicting everyday activities, as well as neckrests, cups, knives and sceptres.

Bacquart, P. 177

Staff of office indicates social status and place in the heirarchy of the tribe/ village. (Added 5/3/2016)

Description:

Staff featuring an elongated smooth worn wooden handle with flanged end, iron sickle—shaped blade extending from larger end with browning patina. Cross—hatch etching cna be found on the blade, along with a seratted edge on the inner blade. About two inches skin around base of handle.

Collection:

Finley Collection

Material:

Wood W/Skin, Iron and Patina

Used:

Ritually Used

Technique:

Metal Working / Carving / Painting

Owned:

Art Department, Missouri Southern State University

Accession#:

2014.1.105