Figural Staff
Baule
Probably late 19th century
Medium
Wood and iron
Dimensions
162.6 × 5.8 × 6.4 cm (64 × 2 1/4 × 2 1/2 in.)
Classification
ceremonial object
Department
Arts of Africa
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
103909
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Until the 1950s, along the eastern edge of the Baule region carved staffs like this example were made to honor important ancestors. That practice has given way to rituals focusing on stools and gold inherited from deceased family members. In the example displayed here an idealized male figure is seated on a stool, with three faces below him that may symbolize wealth in the form of wives. The drum carved farther down likely alludes to success in battle.