Dance Wand
Chamba / Verre, Nigeria
Forged iron, vegetable fiber, resin
Early 20th century

Women from a number of tribes from northeastern Nigeria have been documented wielding dance wands like this in a ceremonial context, often for harvest festivals. The shape of the implement references a harvesting sickle, and was therefore associated with celebrating a successful agricultural cycle. The iron rings attached at the bottom of the handle would make noise in performance, and when amplified with a number of performers moving in sync, would have been transfixing.

The fiber wrapping decorating the stem was likely a common characteristic, but most examples preserved in collections lack this attribute. The deliberate application of resin in decorative bands makes this an exceptional example.

Mounted on a custom display stand, pictured below. 

14 in :: 36 cm

InventoryID #13-583

SOLD