Dance Staff

Two distinct sculptural forms appear in this unusual Baule carving, which may have been used during dance performances. Similar miniature renderings of animal-shaped helmet masks often decorate weavers’ pulleys. The twisted stem, on the other hand, is typically seen on the mallets used by diviners to strike an iron gong and initiate a trance. The combination of these types both demonstrates the maker’s skills and attests to the owner’s refined taste.