Nigeria: A dance sceptre of the god Shango (‘Shango club’), a work by the well-known Yoruba carver Onakunle Aribikona. An ‘Oshe Shango’ dance and ritual sceptre, also called ‘Shango club’. With these dance rods in their hand, the followers of the mighty thunder god Shango took part in dances, processions and rituals in honour of their god (cf also cat. no. 50 and 55). The present 'Shango club' is made of wood and dyed black. On its grip a kneeling woman represents a supporter of the god Shango. She carries a double axe on her head, the symbol of the god Shango. In her left hand she holds a second ‘Oshe Shango’ and in her right hand a rattle, which is used to beat time during dances and processions. According to William Fagg and Henry Drewal, this full-round style must be attributed to the Yoruba carver Onakunle Aribikon from the town of Gbongan, northeast of Lagos, or to his workshop. Cf also: 'Yoruba. Sculpture of West Africa' by William Fagg & John Pemberton III., ill. 62. The volume also mentions comparable items in the Museum für Völkerkunde, Berlin, and the Ian Auld Collection, England. As a result of the confident attribution to a specific carver, this beautiful 'Oshe shango' is also a very rare object! With good, old usage patina and minor age damage: a tear and a fracture on the lower grip. First half of the 20th century; H: 42.5 cm. (ME)

Provenance: Austrian collection.

Literature: 'Yoruba. Sculpture of West Africa' by William Fagg & John Pemberton III., ill. 62; 'Yoruba. Nine Centuries of African Art and Thought' by Henry J. Dreal, John Pemberton III. & R. Abiodun, p. 54, p. 146, p. 150 to 152.