Staff of Office
early to mid-1800s
Maker Unknown
African Art
Staff of Office, early to mid-1800s. Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Luba. Wood and iron; overall: 170 x 13.3 cm (66 15/16 x 5 1/4 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, John L. Severance Fund 2004.85 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. Besides prestige emblems and symbols of power, these staffs were also historical documents that could be “read” like a sculptural map from top to bottom.
- Maker/Artist
- Maker Unknown
- Classification
- Sculpture
- Formatted Medium
- Wood and iron
- Dimensions
- Overall: 170 x 13.3 cm (66 15/16 x 5 1/4 in.)
- Departments
- African Art
- Accession Number
- 2004.85
- Credit Line
- John L. Severance Fund
- Exhibitions
- Art and Power in the Central African Savanna, Artlens Exhibition 2019, Narrative Wisdom and African Arts
- Rights Statement
- CC0
- Museum Location
- ArtLens Exhibition A
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