A South East African Wooden Staff carved with the head of a hound
A South East African Wooden Staff carved with the head of a hound and
an entwined snake
Probably north Nguni or Tsonga
Late 19th Century – Early 20th Century
Size : 86.5 cm long – 34 ins long
an entwined snake
Probably north Nguni or Tsonga
Late 19th Century – Early 20th Century
Size : 86.5 cm long – 34 ins long
This staff was made for the colonial market in Southern Africa where a strong European demand for figurative sculpture produced carvings of no real indigenous tribal use, but afforded a previously unknown source of income. The number of 'curios' made dramatically increased with the influx of British soldiers into the colony and many of these objects were taken as 'mementoes' back to Europe, where they are now, once again, competitively sought out.
A South East African Wooden Staff carved with the head of a hound
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