A striking, large male figure, dressed in full regalia, is seated on a spool-shaped stool, forming the finial of this impressive bronze and iron staff. The intricate details of his attire and body ornamentation—featuring an elaborate headdress, a stylized beard, complex skin patterns, heavy pendants, armlets, bracelets, anklets, and decorated wrappers around the chest and waist—suggest he is a person of significant status. In his right hand, he holds a spear, while a beautifully adorned dagger rests in a sheath on his left arm, symbolizing both his hunting prowess and his capability in battle.
This finial, crafted as a single piece, showcases the exceptional skill of its creator. The scalloped edges of the beard, the textured surfaces of the chest band and waist cloth, and the zigzag patterns on the jewelry and knife sheath all come together to create a visual richness that captivates the viewer.
The origins of this remarkable sculpture, likely a representation of an important political leader, remain somewhat unclear. Its rigid posture, distinct facial features, and elongated, tubular torso and limbs connect it stylistically to the artistic traditions of the western Sudanese peoples, such as the Bamana, Bozo, and Dogon. Although we can’t determine its exact age, the figure shares aesthetic similarities with terracotta statues from the twelfth to fifteenth centuries that were created in the ancient city of Jenne. It also bears a resemblance, in style if not in scale, to the monumental wooden sculptures associated with the Bamana Jo society.
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