id: 159696 accession number: 1996.403 share license status: CC0 url: https://clevelandart.org/art/1996.403 updated: 2021-03-27 12:16:34.086000 Pair of Figure Staffs (Edan Ogboni), possibly 1800s. Guinea Coast, Nigeria, Yoruba people. 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 Figure Staffs (Edan Ogboni) 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: --- culture: Guinea Coast, Nigeria, Yoruba people technique: Copper alloy and iron department: African Art collection: African Art type: Sculpture find spot: catalogue raisonne: --- CREATORS --- measurements: Overall: 22 cm (8 11/16 in.) state of the work: edition of the work: support materials: inscriptions: --- CURRENT EXHIBITIONS --- LEGACY EXHIBITIONS --- PROVENANCE --- fun fact: digital description: wall description: The chain connecting these two figures allows them to be worn in public by a member of the Ogboni or Oshugbo 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 Ogboni/Oshugbo’s concerns with longevity and durability. --- RELATED WORKS --- CITATIONS --- 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