Prestige Scepter/Farming Implement
Samo, Burkina Faso
Wood, pigment, forged iron
First half of the 20th century

Shaped like the traditional farming tools of western Burkina Faso and the Ivory Coast, this working axe was also carried as an emblem of manhood. This type often had a handle whose top was embellished with burnt in geometrical patterns, and occasionally the blades of more ornate examples were decorated with incised designs, such as on this piece (Westerdijk, African Metal Implements, 1984).

I field collected this piece myself in Samo country (north west of Bobo Dioulasso) in 2006. I can't say I've seen another example with comparable engravings on the blade. The representation of this type of farming tool/prestige emblem is common in Senufo art (as seen below in a photograph of a Senufo door from a private collection). Similar examples have also been found among the Sikasso, Kulele, Wara, Natiro, Sia, Comoé, Turuka, and Guin (Goin).

Mounted on a custom display stand, pictured below. 

26.5 in :: 67 cm

InventoryID #13-522

Price on request