West Africa, Nigeria, Mumuye peoples, ca. first half of the 20th century CE. A lovely forged-iron rain-making wand comprised of dozens of serpentine rods accentuated with twisted grooves until just before the flattened, diamond-shaped heads. The lower ends of each rod fuse to form a conical handle which is also detailed with spiraling grooves until terminating at a pointed tip. Mumuye shamans utilize rain-making wands because they believe their slithering forms to mimic flashes of lightning or the serpentine movements of snakes. Shamans dig small holes and place the ends of the wands in the hole where they symbolically petition the gods for rain by channeling the life-force of the earth. Size: 2.2" W x 24.2" H (5.6 cm x 61.5 cm); 24.875" H (63.2 cm) on included custom stand.
Provenance: Mark Clayton collection, Long Beach, California, USA; Mr. Clayton is a noted African art collector who recently had Nigerian bronze objects from his collection featured in an exhibition at the UCLA Fowler Museum entitled "Summoning the Ancestors" (September 2018 - March 2019).
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#146708
Condition
Small abrasions to handle and rods, slight bending to overall form of some rods, with extensive oxidation commensurate with age as expected, and light encrustations, otherwise intact and very good. Nice earthen deposits and warm russet patina throughout.