Staff of office of cast brass/bronze with blade surmounted by attendant figure and open linked handle surmounted by figure of an Oba (King): West Africa, Nigeria, Edo State, Benin, 19th century
WEST AFRICA. NIGERIA. BENIN. BRONZES. STAFF OF OFFICE, bronze: shaft cast to give the appearance of two wavy square sectioned rods bound at intervals and twisted alternately at right angles. W. Africa, Bini Peoples, Midwestern State. || Exchanged for L.224.3017 || Wider World Gallery Label Text, 1997: Ceremonial Wand. Nigeria, Benin. Nineteenth century. Cast brass wand surmounted by the figure of an oba and an attendant. The purpose of these wands is uncertain, although they are most likely to have been symbols of office.