Details

Title

Blacksmith's Staff (Opa Ogun)

Artist/Maker

Yoruba Artist, Abeokuta, Nigeria

Date

Nineteenth century

Medium

Bronze

Dimensions

20 1/2 x 5 1/4 inches

Credit

Fred and Rita Richman Collection

Accession #

1980.500.74

On View

Currently not on view

Designed for ceremonial use, this staff (òpá Ògún) distinguishes an individual as a senior blacksmith and possibly a renowned hunter and warrior who has been honored by the king with a chieftaincy title. The bird motifs and projections on the figure’s headgear signify an ability to wield enormous physical and metaphysical powers due to close association with Ògún, the Yoruba god of iron.

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