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Staff
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Arguably the finest surviving carving of the Baboon Master in a Western collection, this staff features exceptionally sophisticated articulation and detailing. The circular pokerwork motif on one side—which echoes the treatment of the ears on the male heads supporting the baboon—may represent a shield or a leaf. The heads feature the characteristic ornament that signifies maturity and marriage; covered with a mixture of gum, charcoal, and oil, this hairdo, called <em>isicoco,</em> employed a fiber or sinew ring into which the wearer’s hair was woven.
| Artist / Maker | The Baboon Master |
|---|---|
| Date | 1800s–1900s |
| Culture / Origin | Africa, South Africa, South Africa or Mozambique, probably Tsonga peoples |
| Medium | Wood |
| Dimensions | Overall: 120.7 cm (47 1/2 in.) |
| Department | African Art |
| Type | Sculpture |
About the Artist
The Baboon Master (probably Tsonga peoples) Full biography →
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
A detailed condition report and high-resolution photography are available from our specialists in advance of the sale.
Shipping & Collection
Fine-art shipping with climate control and full insurance to over 120 countries; collection by appointment.
Buying at Matchless Pieces
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