ostracon ancient art
catalogue

Edan Staff from the Ogboni Society, Yoruba Peoples, Nigeria

Edan with stylized human head and tubular body. The protruding facial features with slanting eyes, raised tattoos on the forehead and further scarification marks on the cheeks. A loop for suspension on top of the conical hairdo.

Edan pairs were worn by members of the Ogboni society, an exclusive group having religious, political and jurisdictional functions among the Yoruba tribes. With the reformation of the society in 1914 the old rites lost their meaning.

Intact with nice aged patina.

H. with stand 17.9 cm (7 in)

Swiss private collection

540 USD