Fine West African, Angola Ovimbundu Peoples Ritual Dance Staff
A Fine West African, Angola Ovimbundu Peoples Ritual Dance Staff
The finial carved with a female with an elaborate central crested hairstyle and the stem with a pokerwork and carved dogs tooth design
19th Century
Size: 112.5cm long – 44¼ ins long
The finial carved with a female with an elaborate central crested hairstyle and the stem with a pokerwork and carved dogs tooth design
19th Century
Size: 112.5cm long – 44¼ ins long
The Ovimbundu, Chockwe, Lwena and related tribal groups in Angola and the Congo all have similar staffs that serve a range of ceremonial purposes, but a particularly striking similarity are the elaborate hairstyles or headdresses that adorn both male and female heads on staffs intended for ritual and often supernatural functions. This staff has a female figure with a typical Ovimbundu hairstyle.
The Ovimbundu were the westernmost coastal link to the Portuguese sponsored trade routes with the interior. The merchants and chiefs became wealthy through this trade and would often commission objects of art to illustrate their political and financial status.
The Ovimbundu were the westernmost coastal link to the Portuguese sponsored trade routes with the interior. The merchants and chiefs became wealthy through this trade and would often commission objects of art to illustrate their political and financial status.
Fine West African, Angola Ovimbundu Peoples Ritual Dance Staff
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