African Carved Female Statue Yoruba Ose Sango Staff

An expressively carved African wood female kneeling figure on staff with a display wood stand circa mid 20th century. The figural sculpture was an Ose Sango staff from Yoruba communities in Nigeria. The worship of Goddess Sango developed since the 18th century in Yoruba court. The primary emblem for worship is the Ose Sango, a wooden shaft featuring a kneeling female figure with a double ax-head motif on her head, often placed on the shrines and paraded during ritual ceremonies. The goddess, with exaggerated female form, signifies fertility and evokes devotion. The goddess with both mature female characters and youthful vitality, was known for her temper and capricious behavior, manifested by the thunderbolt on her head. On the occasion of annual festivals, Ose Sango staffs are removed from the altars and carried as dance wands by devotees who sing his praises.
The statue on offer was expressively carved. The incisions were highlighted with white Kaolin. Examining the piece, it was likely made for tourist trade post 1950s instead of used indigenously. It made a wonderful decorative piece with its sculptural form and cultural annotation. The statue itself is 23.5" high.