id:			159696
accession number:	1996.403
share license status:	CC0
url:			https://clevelandart.org/art/1996.403
updated:		2023-05-16 11:14:38.937000

Pair of Ritual Staffs (ẹdan Ògbóni), possibly 1800s. Africa, West Africa, Nigeria, Yorùbá-style maker. Copper alloy and iron; overall: 22 cm (8 11/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Drs. James, Gladys, Jay, Jeffrey, and Jamie Strain 1996.403

title:				Pair of Ritual Staffs (ẹdan Ògbóni)
title in original language:	
series:				
series in original language:	
creation date:			possibly 1800s
creation date earliest:		1800
creation date latest:		1899
current location:		108C Akan & Yoruba
creditline:			Gift of Drs. James, Gladys, Jay, Jeffrey, and Jamie Strain
copyright:			

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culture:	Africa, West Africa, Nigeria, Yorùbá-style maker
technique:	Copper alloy and iron
department:	African Art
collection:	African Art
type:		Sculpture
find spot:	
catalogue raisonne: 

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CREATORS

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measurements: Overall: 22 cm (8 11/16 in.)
state of the work:	
edition of the work: 	

support materials:


inscriptions:

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CURRENT EXHIBITIONS

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LEGACY EXHIBITIONS

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PROVENANCE

	Drs. James and Gladys Strain, Riverdale, NY, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art
	date: ?–1996
	footnotes: 	
	citations: 	


	The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
	date: 1996–
	footnotes: 	
	citations: 	


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fun fact:
Imagine how this would look when its owner wore it; the chain would go around the back of the neck and the figures would rest on their chest.

digital description:


wall description:
The chain connecting these two figures allows them to be worn in public by a member of the Ògbóni or Òṣùgbó association as authority emblems. The male on the right gives the association’s typical salute by clasping his left fist on the right one, while the female on the left holds her breasts as a sign of welcome and generosity. The use of copper alloy and iron expresses Ògbóni/Òṣùgbó's concerns with longevity and durability.
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RELATED WORKS

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CITATIONS

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IMAGES

web:	https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1996.403/1996.403_web.jpg
print:	https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1996.403/1996.403_print.jpg
full:	https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1996.403/1996.403_full.tif