Staff of Office, early-mid 1800s, Cleveland Museum of Art: African ArtThe Luba kingdom flourished fr
Staff of Office, early-mid 1800s, Cleveland Museum of Art: African ArtThe Luba kingdom flourished from about the 17th century to the late 19th century. The best-known Luba object types relate to ideas of kingship and the kingdom’s ceremonial and ritual life. Staffs are among the most important Luba regalia. During the investiture ritual, the new ruler holds the staff when he swears his oath of office. Aside from being a symbol of rank and high office, a staff also serves as a historical document and archive that can be “read” like a sculptural map, memorializing important events, places, and people. The rendering of women points to their political and religious significance in history and society; although Luba rulers were always male, their mothers, wives, and sisters acted as advisors and diplomats behind the scenes. On this particular staff, the Janus heads and female figures probably represent one of the many Luba tutelary spirit pairs. The metal point alludes to the kingdom’s stability and durability.Size: Overall: 170 cm (66 15/16 in.)Medium: wood, metalhttps://clevelandart.org/art/2004.85 -- source link
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