Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Luba / early to mid-1800s
Staff of Office
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Staff of Office as sculpture (Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Luba · early to mid-1800s).
The Yeke kingdom ruler Chief Msidi gave this as a gift of appreciation to the British missionary Frederick Stanley Arnot, whom the chief had invited to his kingdom.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this sculpture as Wood and iron.
The museum's collection notes: Sanctified by a ritual specialist and enhanced with medicinal substances, the staff possessed supernatural qualities and was endowed with healing power. Luba staffs are among the most important regalia of Luba kings. The metal point alludes to the kingdom's stability and durability. Each staff has its own distinctive iconography to reflect regional styles. As Chief Msidi (former owner of this staff) ruled over the Yeke kingdom (and not the Luba kingdom), it begs the question of how he acquired this symbol of another realm's power.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtStaff of OfficeOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.