Staff Item Number: 3326/19 a-c from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Large staff built on a wood armature with an iron blade (part a) and phallic handle (part b) with loose coiled metal (part c). The wooden hilt is studded, wrapped in iron with iron cap. The blade tapers in towards the tip. Towards the top there is a small square cutout with a cross etched on each side. Above and below, the thin area is wrapped in iron. The blade itself is also etched with various designs, however the metal is rusted.
History Of Use
Collected in Irawo. Emblematic of the god of agriculture, Orisa Oko; used as fertility objects in annual harvest festivals.
Narrative
Assumed to have been collected by Lieber while he was living in Nigeria (1965-1970), lecturing at the University of Ibadan under the auspices of CIDA.
Item History
- Made in Oyo, Nigeria
- Collected between 1965 and 1970
- Owned by Jack Lieber before 2015
- Owned by Iris Lieber before June 18, 2018
- Received from Iris Lieber (Donor) on June 18, 2018
What
- Name
- Staff
- Identification Number
- 3326/19 a-c
- Type of Item
- staff
- Material
- wood and iron metal
- Part A
- height 108.0 cm, width 5.2 cm, depth 3.5 cm
- Part B
- height 45.5 cm, diameter 6.5 cm
Who
- Culture
- Yoruba ?
- Previous Owner
- Jack Lieber and Iris Lieber
- Received from
- Iris Lieber (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Oyo, Nigeria
When
- Collection Date
- between 1965 and 1970
- Ownership Date
- before 2015 and before June 18, 2018
- Acquisition Date
- on June 18, 2018
Other
- Condition
- poor
- Accession Number
- 3326/0019 a-b