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Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
Staff (Oshe Shango)
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
© Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami. All rights reserved.

Staff (Oshe Shango)

Artist/Maker
Dateearly 20th century
CultureYoruba
Mediumwood and pigment
DimensionsOverall: 21 3/8 x 4 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. (54.3 x 10.8 x 8.3 cm)
ClassificationsWeapons and Armor
Credit LineMuseum purchase
Terms
    Object number90.0110
    On View
    Not on view
    Collections
    DescriptionPerhaps the most frequently occurring form in Yoruba art is the kneeling female devotee. While the kneeling woman is the ideal image of selfless devotion to a higher spiritual power the image also conveys the powers inherent in woman herself. She is the major vessel containing life force, ashe. She regularly gives up ashe in the form of blood at menstruation, signaling fertility, and in childbirth, a vivid demonstration of her power to give life. Lactation, signaled by her full breasts, demonstrates the nurturing power of woman. Contrarily childbirth may be associated with death. The loss of fluids from the body, especially in men in contrast to women, also suggests pain and danger. Woman, therefore, is a most potent symbol of devotion and of life and death, powers evoked, celebrated, and placated elsewhere in Yoruba life in the Gelede masquerade festival.
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Mother and Child
    Nigeria, Yoruba people
    20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Ritual Textile (Pua)
    Iban Dayak people
    20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Costume [Ekun Egungun]
    Nigeria, Yoruba people
    ca. 1950
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Costume [Paka Egungun]
    Nigeria, Yoruba people
    ca. 1930
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Ogboni Society Bell (Ipawo Ase)
    Nigeria, Yoruba people
    mid 19th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Female Dwarf Holding a Staff
    Colima
    ca. 300 BCE-300 CE
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Portrait of a Man of the Sandwich Islands with His Helmet and A Young Woman of the Sandwich Islands
    George Noble
    1784-1786
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Kimiko
    Andy Warhol
    1981
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Ceremonial Ring
    Nigeria, Yoruba people
    16th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Slave Girl
    Antonio Argenti
    ca. 1895
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    The Chief, at Sta. Christina and A Principal Woman of Sta. Christina
    Artist Unknown
    1784-1786
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Pendant
    Maya (archaeological culture)
    ca. 600-900
    eMuseum
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