Nyamwezi Figural Staff Carved Head Tanzania Africa

Description

Title
Nyamwezi Figural Staff Carved Head Tanzania Africa
Type of Object
staff or club, dance wand
Country of Origin
Tanzania
People
Nyamwezi
Materials
Wood, aluminum or tin
Approximate Age
20th century
Height (in)
29
Width (in)
2.5
Other Dimensions
Height: 29 Inches
Width: 2.5 Inches
Overall Condition
Good. Most of our pieces have spent decades on at least two continents, and have been treasured by several owners.   Small splits, scrapes and cracks are a normal part of their patina attesting to their age and extensive use.  We examine each piece carefully when we receive it and report any damage we find in our listings.  Please look carefully at the pictures which may also reveal condition and damage.
Damage/Repair
cracks, bent metal, scraped patina; see pictures for details.
Additional Information:
A superb and rare figural wand or staff decorated with a carved heas in a style typical of the Nyamwezi and related people sculpture .
As for almost all the peoples in the South of Sahara the Zaramo as well as the Nyamwezi with whom this piece is tentatively identified embellish daily objects and make them real pieces of art.This pair is a fine example of the applied arts in everyday service in the shape and decorations. Depending upon the visual embellishment and complexity of imagery staffs such as these served as badges of office indicating a chief, an elder or someone of status or simply a staff to walk with or a dance wand. Staffs were meant to be seen in public and admired as works of art while serving to support one as they walko conduct ceremonies. Being supported by a carved staff also served as metaphor for the staff provided symbolic support as well as physical support. Staffs were an indicator that its owner was a man of importance and one fully initiated into  Nyamwezi  religion and symbolism as the hairstyle on the top .
Tanzanian tribal art is less researched and published than Western and Central art. There are still superb pieces coming out of rural areas.
**108864**
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