Staff of office (part of); lost-wax cast in brass. Long narrow blade riveted onto long handle. Pair of back-to-back figures at top and bottom of handle. Shaft between them with five openwork and solid sections. Blade decorated front and back with incised patterns, including guilloche designs and stippling. Lower figures wear patterned skirts, crossed baldrics and coral bead collars and distinctive headdresses with tall protuberances. One is shown holding gong and beater and the other a ? vessel and a ? thunder axe. Upper figures wear similar clothing and accessories: one holds a clapper surmounted by a ‘bird of prophecy’ and a striker, the other holds an eben sword or dagger.
Such staffs, called assan errie, are carried by representatives of the Oba while on official business. The figures on the staff represent chiefs paying homage to the Oba.