code: 2025-OE

a pair of bronze / brass & iron staffs, known as:

Edan Ogboni

these figures on rods, known as Edan, were owned by members of the 

Ogboni secret society, earlier called Osugbo,

known from Nigeria, f.e. the Yoruba People, 

these smaller type of Edan were used as amulets and were carried by Ogboni members as a sign of membership to the lodge,

although called staff, Edan Ogboni are not held in the hand, but worn on the body,

length including iron spike: circa 15 cm / circa 5.9 inch,

both seated figures have authentic old patina on bronze and iron,

both with display of genitalia, that emphasizes their importance in the perpetuation of life,

the female holds her breasts, she has a loop on her head with one remaining ring of the chain that once joined the figures together, she has a lovely detailed braided hairdo, scarification marks on her cheeks, a necklace, bracelets, a ring around het middle that seems to hold up an apron or loincloth,

with the male the loop is missing, he has another hairdo that ends in a bun, also scarification marks on the cheeks, no jewellery, but he holds a bowl / dish in his hands, known as Opon,

condition: authentic patina, firm and stable - please see all the pictures, they are part of the description

seen the patina and casting we date these figures as 19th Century or early 20th Century

provenance: a private Dutch collection of mainly old Yoruba figures - the little tags on the backs are of this collector,

weight together: circa 234 gr.

the sale price is for the 2 figures together